bearer_of has characteristic has_quality has quality has quality hepatocellular carcinoma male hepatoma cell line PLC/PRF/5 Alexander cells CLO:0008458 BTO:0003492 CLO:0008459 Alexander cell RRID:CVCL_0485 PLC8024 A continuously growing cell line has been established from autopsy material taken from a primary liver carcinoma, a cancer which has a high incidence in Southern Africa. The cell line was initiated from multifocal areas of outgrowth in the primary culture, and adaptation to in vitro conditions was completed after 18 months. The cells resemble hepatocytes in culture, have a doubling time of 35 - 40 hours and a plating efficiency of 40 - 50%. No virus particles have been found in the cells by ultrastructural examination. The isozyme pattern and the karyology of the cells are human. The chromosome pattern is heteroploid (mean number 56) and there are marker chromosomes. Alexander et al (1976) SA Medical Journal 50:2124-2128 PLC