Binucleated cells

In general, binucleation has negative effects on cell viability and subsequent mitosis.

Binucleation occurs at a much higher rate in cancer cells.

[1] Other identifying features of cancer cells include multipolar spindles, micronuclei, and chromatin bridge.

However, the increased rate of binucleation is usually not high enough to make it a conclusive diagnostic tool.

[1] Cells that contain many mutations before they become binucleate are much more likely to proceed through subsequent rounds of mitosis.

Cartoon of cleavage furrow formation and resolution. (A) depicts a normal cleavage furrow resolution. (B) depicts a cleavage furrow regression leading to a binucleated cell
The binucleated cell above is an oral squamous cell carcinoma, cell line UPCI-SCC-103. A: The cancer cell treated with antibodies against tubulin. B: The same cancer cell stained with DAPI, highlighting the nuclei. C: Both photos superimposed.