Abstract |
From 1984 to 2013, we established 29 childhood tumor cell lines and 16
neuroblastoma (NB) cell lines for cellular and molecular assays. NB
diagnosis has been attempted with monoclonal antibodies against NB surface
antigens (but not fetal neuroblasts), particularly with monoclonal
antibody KP-NAC8. The multipotency of NB has been assessed during
differentiation of NB cells into neurons, schwannian cells, smooth muscle
cells. Regarding MYCN oncogene amplification (MNA) and tumorigenesis, the
correlation between increased MNA and tumorigenesis in parental and
subcloned NB cell lines, serum MYCN DNA levels, and MYCN DNA levels in
primary tumors, cell lines, and serum in NB patients have been analyzed.
Regarding neurotrophin and tyrosine kinase (TRK) family receptors, ciliary
neurotrophic factor (CNTF) in NB cell lines have been analyzed,
particularly TRK-A, TRK-B, and CNTF in NB cell lines. Differences in
chemotherapeutic sensitivity between two NB cell lines derived from the
same patient before and after chemotherapy have been discussed. Finally,
improvement of NB prognosis with fenretinide, an apoptosis inducer in NB
cell lines, and apoptotic induction using gefitinib (EGFR inhibitor) in NB
cell lines have been discussed, along with potential novel therapeutic
agents.
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