Establishment and characterization of a cell line (OMC-3) originating from a human mucinous cystadenocarcinoma of the ovary.

A new human ovarian carcinoma cell line, designated OMC-3, was established from the mucinous cystadenocarcinoma of a 59-year-old woman. This cell line has grown well for 65 months and has been subcultured more than 50 times. Monolayer-cultured cells are polygonal in shape, showing a pavement-like arrangement and a tendency to pile up without contact inhibition. The chromosomal number shows aneuploidy and the modal chromosomal number is in the hypodiploid range. The cells were transplanted into the subcutis of nude mice and produced tumors resembling the original tumor. Ten thousand OMC-3 cells produced CA-125 (228-580 U) and CA-19-9 (2900-5640 U) during 17 days in culture media. CA-125 and CA-19-9 were demonstrated immunohistochemically in the original tumor, heterotransplanted tumor, and OMC-3 cells. The cells contain no estrogen or progesterone receptors. OMC-3 cells were sensitive to actinomycin D, 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide, and mitomycin C in vitro. Three other reports of ovarian mucinous carcinoma cell lines are reviewed.