Establishment and molecular characterization of six primary pancreatic cancer cell lines

• Published in: Zeitschrift für Gastroenterologie
• Main Authors: Rückert, F, Aust, D, Böhme, I, Saeger, HD, Pilarsky, C, Grützmann, R
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: 03.08.2010
• ISSN: 0044-2771; 1439-7803
• DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1263999

Pancreatic carcinoma ranks among the most deadly carcinomas. Basic research in this field is dependent on the availability of pancreatic cancer cell lines. Although several established cell lines are available it is necessary to isolate new primary cell lines for molecular analysis because of the tumor-heterotypic expression of many target genes in the individual patients and the genetic drift of established cell lines. A further benefit is the availability of a nearly endless source of tumor cells, additional to the samples of existing tissue banks. Because of this, the Department of Visceral-, Thoracic and Vascular Surgery of the University Hospital Dresden established the isolation of primary pancreatic carcinoma cell lines. Since January 2008 we could isolate and characterise six primary carcinoma cell lines. Human pancreatic cancer cell lines were isolated from primary and metastatic carcinoma with the outgrowth method (Bachem et al. 2005). DMEM with 20% FCS served as cell culture medium. Cells were cultured under standard conditions. For further characterisation we determined the KRAS mutation status, the growth dynamics and analyzed the expression of different typical tumor markers immunohistochemically. We further tested chemosensitivity of the cell lines against Gemcitabine and 5-Fluorouracil. Six primary pancreatic carcinoma cell lines (named PaCaDD) were established. 5 cell lines showed epithelial growth pattern, one cell line grew in semi-suspension. The cytological markers showed expression in accordance to the native tumor. kRAS mutation status, growth dynamics and median lethal dose of gemcitabine were heterogeneous between the cell lines. In Conclusion, the Pancreas Research Lab of the University Clinic Dresden could establish six new primary pancreatic carcinoma cell lines. As important factor for basic research this cell lines might contribute to better understand and treat this aggressive tumor.