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Apparent Reversal of X-condensation Mechanism in Tumors of the Female¹

Department of Cytogenetics and Cytology, Division of Pathology, City of Hope Medical Center, Duarte, California 91010

Cytogenetic preparations and Feulgen stain of tumor tissue were applied to the question of the relationship between the sex (X) chromatin body and the X-chromosome constitution of tumor cells. The data revealed that in Case 1, a malignant mesonephroma, the tumor was hyperploid and that there was no loss of the C + X group of chromosomes. Nevertheless, not a single X-chromatin body was encountered among one thousand tumor epithelial cells. Stromal cells within which the tumor was embedded, nonmalignant mesonephric epithelium, and its normal stroma showed 20% X-chromatin positive cells. It is concluded from this and correlative data from a second case similarly analyzed, that the condensation of the heteropyknotic X is not fixed. Rather, under appropriate conditions, such as in neoplasia, it is reversible. As the euchromatic state of the X-chromosomes is characteristic of the oogonium and the cleavage stage of the embryo, this process may be viewed as chromosomal dedifferentiation.

¹ This work was made possible in part by Grant CA 08791-02 from the NIH, and research fellowships established in the names of Louis Issikman, Max R. Eisman, and Paul W. Priddy.

² Present address: Department of Pathology, Mercy Hospital, San Diego, California 92103.

Received 8/ 5/68. Accepted 1/ 8/69.