If the selective HAT medium step is accidentally omitted after fusion of B cells and myeloma cells, what is the most likely consequence for establishing stable hybridoma clones?

• A. Only antigen-specific hybridomas will survive, while unfused myeloma and B cells will simultaneously differentiate into macrophages that assist antibody maturation.
• B. The culture will become completely sterile and no cells of any type will grow, thereby paradoxically simplifying isolation of single clones by empty-plate picking methods.
• C. Unfused myeloma cells (which are immortal) will rapidly overgrow the culture and outcompete hybridomas, making it difficult or impossible to isolate antigen-specific hybridoma clones.
• D. All fused cells will spontaneously humanize their antibody genes and yield highly desirable therapeutic antibodies without the need for further screening because selection pressure is unnecessary in modern hybridoma protocols.

Answer: (C)