A novel human glassy-cell carcinoma cell line producing IL-6 and IL-8 from uterine cervix.

A novel human cell line, TOM-2, was established from a rare uterine cervical cancer, glassy cell carcinoma (GCC). TOM-2 is the second established GCC cell line so far reported. The cells were intermediately or poorly differentiated with dysplastic nuclei and polygonal shape and secreted two tumor markers and cytokines, i.e., CA-125 and SCC, interleukin (1L)-1alpha, -6, and -8, and TNF-alpha. Growth of TOM-2 was so strongly dependent on population density that it was not possible to determine the plating efficiency. In mass culture, the following characteristics were observed: doubling time, 83 h; mode of chromosome number, 79; human papillomavirus type 18 DNA, detectable; tumorigenicity, easily transplantable into subcutis of nude mice; chemosensitivity in vitro, considerably sensitive to Cisplatin and 5-FU but not to 9 other antineoplastic agents. This novel cell line will be useful for developing new therapeutic strategies for the rare cancer, GCC.