Establishment and characterization of CA 125 producing cell line (OMC-2) originating from a human endometrial adenocarcinoma.

A new human endometrial carcinoma cell line, designated OMC-2, was established from the endometrial adenocarcinoma of a 59-year-old woman. This cell line has grown well for 51 months and has been subcultured more than 50 times. Monolayer cultured cells are polygonal in shape, showing a pavement-like arrangement and a piling up tendency without contact inhibition. The chromosomal number shows aneuploidy and the modal chromosomal number is in the diploid range. The cells were transplanted into the subcutis of nude mice and produced tumors resembling the original tumor. 1 X 10(5) OMC-2 cells produced CA 125 (184-682 U) during 19 days in culture media. CA 125 was demonstrated immunohistochemically in the original tumor, heterotransplanted tumor, and OMC-2 cells. The cells contain no estrogen or progesterone receptors. Twenty-nine other reports of endometrial carcinoma cell lines are reviewed.