Maintenance of ectopic chorionic gonadotropin and alpha subunit secretion by a human lung cancer cell line (ChaGo) transplanted into nude mice
Lieblich, J.M.; Rosen, S.W.; Weintraub, B.D.; Sindelar, W.F.; Tralka, T.S.; Rabson, A.S.
Journal of the National Cancer Institute 59(4): 1285-1289
1977
ISSN/ISBN: 0027-8874 PMID: 904000 DOI: 10.1093/jnci/59.4.1285
Accession: 005844951
ChaGo cells, derived from a human primary carcinoma of the lung, were successfully transplanted into nude mice without any change in morphologic characteristics over 4 generations and with continued ectopic secretion of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) and HCG-.alpha. subunit (HCG-.alpha.). The concentration of free HCG-.alpha. was 1100-fold higher than that of complete HCG in the original ChaGo culture medium but only 35-fold higher in nude mouse plasma, possibly due to slower metabolic clearance of complete HCG. Tumor weights correlated with plasma HCG-.alpha. but not with HCG. Tumor-bearing mice had significantly heavier uteri than control mice.