Expression of c-myc, c-ras, and c-erbB-2 oncogenes may be used as immunohistochemical markers to distinguish cholangiocarcinoma from nonneoplastic biliary tissues, and may provide useful information concerning the cell biology of tumor differentiation.
Moreover c-erbB-2 mRNA was not detected in seven hepatocellular carcinomas examined by Northern blot analysis. c-erbB-2 overexpression is, therefore, unlikely to be contributing to the malignant phenotype in hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma.
Among various recombinant cytokines examined for effects on growth or surface antigen expression on CC cell lines, only interleukin I-beta (ILI-beta) strongly inhibited growth of the CC-LP-I cell line, while interferons (IFNs) or tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) were mildly inhibitory.
Growth of the CC-SW-I cell line was significantly stimulated in the presence of insulin, while that of the CC-LP-I cell line was significantly augmented by epidermal growth factor (EGF).
Among various recombinant cytokines examined for effects on growth or surface antigen expression on CC cell lines, only interleukin I-beta (ILI-beta) strongly inhibited growth of the CC-LP-I cell line, while interferons (IFNs) or tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) were mildly inhibitory.
CC-SW-I was hypodiploid with numerous chromosome losses and structural rearrangements, while CC-LP-I was hyperdiploid and displayed multiple additional chromosomes.
Experiments with the human cholangiocarcinoma cell line showed specific, saturable binding of an SS analogue (MK-678) with high affinity for SSTR2 on cholangiocarcinoma membranes; inhibition in vitro of tumor cell proliferation by SS-14 and its analogue, octreotide; and inhibition in vivo of tumor growth in athymic mice implanted with human cholangiocarcinoma cells and treated with lanreotide, another SS analogue.
Experiments with the human cholangiocarcinoma cell line showed specific, saturable binding of an SS analogue (MK-678) with high affinity for SSTR2 on cholangiocarcinoma membranes; inhibition in vitro of tumor cell proliferation by SS-14 and its analogue, octreotide; and inhibition in vivo of tumor growth in athymic mice implanted with human cholangiocarcinoma cells and treated with lanreotide, another SS analogue.
Comparison of the PBGD activity in groups with various final diagnoses-hepatocellular carcinoma (n = 58), cholangiocellular carcinoma (n = 2), malignancy other than PLC (n = 18), benign liver disorders (n = 11)--and according to presence of cirrhosis.
Mutations of the p53 gene were found in two cases, at codon 244 (GGC to TGC) in the cholangiocellular carcinoma component of case 1 (mixed type, showing an intimate intermingling of both elements) and at codon 234 (TAC to AAC) in both components of case 5 (combined type, consisting of contiguous but independent masses of both elements).