Pentagastrin stimulation of human colon carcinoma
D. B. McGregor, L. L. Morriss, P. B. Manalo, R. A. Bomberger and R. S. Pardini
Department of Surgery, University of Nevada School of Medicine, Reno.
This study examines the trophic effects of pentagastrin administration on
the growth of transplanted human colon carcinoma in mice. Three different
human colon carcinomas were implanted into dorsal subcutaneous pouches of
BALB-C athymic mice-tumor A, COLO 320 DM undifferentiated carcinoma; tumor
B, WiDr epithelial carcinoma; and tumor C, mucus-producing signet-ring cell
adenocarcinoma from a patient volunteer. Tumors grew for four to six weeks
and then groups were randomly assigned to receive either saline injections
or pentagastrin, 2.0 mg/kg three times a day for 14 days before harvest.
Tumors were homogenized and analyzed for DNA, RNA, and protein contents.
Each tumor type showed a different biochemical pattern of response to
pentagastrin stimulation. The data confirm that pentagastrin is trophic to
human colon carcinoma and suggest a possible clinical role for hormonal
manipulation.
