Characterization of Hodgkin’s Disease Derived Cell Line HDLM-2

The origin of the cells which are pathognomonic for Hodgkin’s disease (HD), the Hodgkin (H) and Reed-Sternberg (RS) cells, remains controversial (Drexler et al. 1987; Jones 1987). The analysis of H-RS cells is hampered by the scarcity of the neoplastic cells and contamination with bystander cells. The event of improved tissue culture methodology for the establishment of immortalized cell lines has greatly enhanced the possibilities of studying neoplastic hematopoietic cells. The advantages are the monoclonality of the cell population and the unlimited access to cells which retain their phenotypic characteristics in long-term culture.