Antitumor activity of triptolide against cholangiocarcinoma growth in vitro and in hamsters.

One of the diverse biological activities of triptolide, a diterpene from Tripterygium wilfordii, is its antitumor effect. We recently reported its in vitro cytotoxicity against several cultured tumor cell lines. Limited availability of purified fraction has prevented detailed investigation on its antitumor activity.

Ultrastructural characteristics of liver fluke associated human cholangiocarcinoma cell lines.

The ultrastructure of a cholangiocarcinoma cell line (HuCCA-l) originally established from an intrahepatic bile duct tumor of a patient seropositive for a liver fluke infection was studied by scanning (SEM) and transmission (TEM) electron miscroscopy. With the SEM, the surface of HuCCA-1 cells were found to be covered with microvilli. The size of these microvilli varied from cell to cell and they were irregularly distributed.

Establishment and characterization of cell lines from liver fluke-associated cholangiocarcinoma induced in a hamster model.

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a relatively rare tumor that occurs primarily in tropical countries and particularly in those with a high incidence of liver fluke infection. A hamster model for a liver fluke-associated CCA has been described previously. In the present study, hamster cholangiocarcinoma cell lines were established and characterized in order to obtain information regarding diagnostically useful tumor marker which could shed light for a future investigation for human cholangiocarcinoma.

Identification and potential use of a soluble tumor antigen for the detection of liver-fluke-associated cholangiocarcinoma induced in a hamster model.

A liver-fluke-associated cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), comparable to that occurring in humans, was induced by exposing Opisthorchis viverrini-infected hamsters to dimethylnitrosamine (DMN). Tumor masses were removed and histopathologically identified, then one portion was extracted for antigens used in the production of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). The remaining portions were used to establish CCA cell lines.

Identification of tumor markers for cholangiocarcinoma and evaluation of their diagnostic potential.

Results obtained from studies using experimental animal model clearly showed that (1) A marker(s) for CCA does exist; 2) This marker is a glycoprotein with a molecular weight of 200 kDa; (3) It is produced and secreted in vitro by tumor cell lines; (4) It is highly immunogenic in mice and the MAb specific for this antigen is directed against the carbohydrate moiety; (5) This tumor antigen can be detected in serum and bile of tumor-bearing animals by a sandwich ELISA employing this MAb; (6) Kinetic studies show a gradual elevation of this antigen during tumor development; and (7) The elevation of this antigen can be detected at a time when no pathological changes have yet taken place, as judged by microscopic examination. Preliminary work from the human counterpart using human cholangiocarcinoma cell line showed promising results. CCA-specific antigen could be similarly identified and the MAbs produced were highly specific for this 160 kDa antigen.

Establishment and characterization of a cholangiocarcinoma cell line from a Thai patient with intrahepatic bile duct cancer.

A new human cholangiocarcinoma cell line (HuCCA-1) was established from cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) tissue fragments surgically removed from a Thai patient with intrahepatic bile duct cancer. The growth medium used for the primary cell culture was Ham's F12 supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) and 10 ng/ml epithelial growth factor (EGF). Approximately one month later, the cells were subcultured in Ham's F12 supplemented with only 10% FBS.