Abstract
Intra-tumoural heterogeneity of proliferation has been assessed by taking multiple biopsies from 30 colorectal cancers. Following in vivo IUDR labelling, dual parameter flow cytometry was used to measure tumour DNA index (DI) and labelling index (LI) and to derive DNA synthesis time (Ts) and potential doubling time (Tpot). Heterogeneity was seen for all parameters under investigation. Overall coefficients of variation (CV) and logarithmic transformation of Ts and Tpot (due to their non-gaussian distributions) indicate that LI (CV 25%) was the most variable parameter. Intra-tumoral heterogeneity in Tpot (lnTpot CV = 22%) was less than inter-individual variation (CV = 63%), suggesting that this variation should not be a limitation to the possible usefulness of this technique as an independent prognostic indicator. Correlations of Tpot values were examined between the shortest, the median and the value for a pooled homogenate sample from a single tumour. Using an homogenate, it was possible to accurately predict classification of tumour Tpot values as being below the median ('fast tumours') in 15 of 19 cases (79%). The data suggest that assaying an homogenate may allow a more rapid analysis of a multiply sampled tumour.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 24 print issues and online access
$259.00 per year
only $10.79 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Wilson, M., West, C., Wilson, G. et al. Intra-tumoral heterogeneity of tumour potential doubling times (Tpot) in colorectal cancer. Br J Cancer 68, 501–506 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1038/bjc.1993.376
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/bjc.1993.376
This article is cited by
-
Current breast cancer proliferative markers correlate variably based on decoupled duration of cell cycle phases
Scientific Reports (2014)
-
Labelling indices in human tumours: to apply corrections or not – that is the question
British Journal of Cancer (1999)
-
Reproducibility of measurements of potential doubling time of tumour cells in the multicentre National Cancer Institute protocol T92-0045
British Journal of Cancer (1999)
-
Preoperative staging of gastric cancer as precondition for multimodal treatment
World Journal of Surgery (1995)