Establishment and characterization of a new cell line, FPS-1, derived from human undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma, overexpressing epidermal growth factor receptor and cyclooxygenase-2.

BACKGROUND: Undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS) is among the most common soft tissue sarcomas in adults. In order to improve its aggressive course or prognosis and establish new therapeutic methods, molecular genetic and biological characterizations of UPS are required.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A new human UPS cell line (FPS-1) was established from UPS of the upper arm of a 79-year-old man. The cell line has been maintained for over 14 months with more than 60 passages. FPS-1 cells were characterized using molecular biological methods.
RESULTS: FPS-1 cells showed the same morphological and immunophenotypical characteristics as the primary tumor. Cytogenetic and molecular analyses revealed a nonsense mutation in exon 6 of the p53 gene. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) were expressed in FPS-1 cells.
CONCLUSION: FPS-1 cells might be useful for investigating biological behavior and developing new molecular targeting antitumor drugs for UPS with EGFR or COX-2 expression.