Genetic and biological characterization of human myeloma cell lines: An overwiew of the lines established at Kawasaki Medical School

Human myeloma cell lines are useful as an in vitro model for the genetic and cellular biological characterization of primary myeloma cells. We have been attempting to establish myeloma lines since 1979 for the study of the cytogenetic, molecular and cellular biological aspects of myeloma cells and to resolve the clinical problems associated with multiple myeloma. The establishment and characterization of some of these lines have been reported. Here we review the lines established at Kawasaki Medical School and discuss investigations related to the clinical manifestation of myeloma using these lines. For instance, the relation between myeloma specific chromosomal translocations, such as t(11;14)(q13;q32), t(8;14)(q24;q32), and t(4;14)(q16.3;q32.3), found in some of the cell lines and gene expression was examined.