INVITRO STUDY OF THE BIOLOGY OF SMALL CELL-CARCINOMA OF THE LUNG

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 54  (3) , 187-193
Abstract
Three types of experimental systems for the study of [human] SCCL [small cell carcinoma of the lung] were developed: serially heterotransplanted tumors in athymic nude mice; continuous, clonable cell cultures; and direct clonogenic assays for tumor specimens. These systems have individual advantages, applications and limitations, but these are interrelated and complementary. The study of these systems has greatly aided understanding of the biology of SCCL and its relationship to other lung cancers and the APUD [amine precursor uptake and decarboxylation] cell system. New markers for SCCL have been identified such as a creatine kinase and its BB isoenzyme (CK-BB). These cellular markers may have clinical applications since serum levels of CK-BB are an indicator of tumor burden. Assays for clonogenic tumor cells may permit selection of optimal drug combinations for the treatment of individual tumors. Variant cultures having the morphology of SCCL but lacking some or all of the other features were identified. These systems, used primarily for biological studies, have clinical applications for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.