OBJECTIVE: Small cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix is rare and represents a unique entity among gynecological tumors. It sometimes demonstrates neuroendocrine differentiation, including adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) secretion. In this study, we established a new cell line, OKT1, from a case of carcinoma secreting ectopic ACTH without Cushing's syndrome and determined the character of the cell line. METHODS: OKT1 was established from OKT tumor cells, derived from a biopsy specimen of small cell cervical carcinoma, and serially heterotransplanted into nude mice. To characterize OKT1, the cell morphology, growth properties, immunohistochemical properties, hormone- and tumor-associated antigen secretion, tumorigenic potential, DNA profile, and chromosomal alteration were studied. RESULTS: The population doubling time of OKT1 was approximately 27 h. The cytological properties of OKT1, including DNA ploidy pattern, were similar to those of the primary tumor. Neuroendocrine differentiation was shown in the OKT1 cells by the positive immunocytochemical staining of neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and the presence of NSE and ACTH in the culture media. The xenograft of 1 x 10(8) OKT1 cells into nude mice yielded tumor mass. Furthermore, OKT1 demonstrated HPV type 18 and absence of a p53 gene mutation from exons 5 through 8. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, OKT1 is the first cell line established from small cell cervical carcinoma with ACTH secretion. Copyright 1998 Academic Press.
OBJECTIVE: Small cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix is rare and represents a unique entity among gynecological tumors. It sometimes demonstrates neuroendocrine differentiation, including adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) secretion. In this study, we established a new cell line, OKT1, from a case of carcinoma secreting ectopic ACTH without Cushing's syndrome and determined the character of the cell line. METHODS: OKT1 was established from OKT tumor cells, derived from a biopsy specimen of small cell cervical carcinoma, and serially heterotransplanted into nude mice. To characterize OKT1, the cell morphology, growth properties, immunohistochemical properties, hormone- and tumor-associated antigen secretion, tumorigenic potential, DNA profile, and chromosomal alteration were studied. RESULTS: The population doubling time of OKT1 was approximately 27 h. The cytological properties of OKT1, including DNA ploidy pattern, were similar to those of the primary tumor. Neuroendocrine differentiation was shown in the OKT1 cells by the positive immunocytochemical staining of neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and the presence of NSE and ACTH in the culture media. The xenograft of 1 x 10(8) OKT1 cells into nude mice yielded tumor mass. Furthermore, OKT1 demonstrated HPV type 18 and absence of a p53 gene mutation from exons 5 through 8. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, OKT1 is the first cell line established from small cell cervical carcinoma with ACTH secretion. Copyright 1998 Academic Press.