Establishment of a human undifferentiated thyroid cancer cell line producing several growth factors and cytokines

Abstract

A cell line was established from undifferentiated giant cell carcinoma of the thyroid. The authors obtained cells from a 44‐year‐old patient admitted because of a rapidly growing anterior neck mass. The patient had significant leukocytosis and hypercalcemia shortly before her death. An autopsy revealed epidermoid metaplasia of the tumor cells. The cells (HTC/C3) had lost most of their differentiated functions. However, their thyroid nature was shown by peroxidase staining and by enzyme‐linked immunostaining with Hashimoto patients' sera. The tumor extract was found to contain parathyroid (PTH)‐like activity. Significant amounts of colony stimulating factor (CSF), which was further defined to be GMCSF, and interleukin‐1α (IL‐1α) were detected in the conditioned media. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) binding to the HTC/C3 showed rich EGF receptors. Furthermore, the conditioned medium inhibited the binding of ¹²⁵I‐mEGF to HeLa cells, and transforming growth factor (TGF) was found repeatedly in the media.