Research on the differentiation of human and murine neuroblastoma cells

In vitro, we were able to induce a differentiation of human (SK-N-MC, IMR-32, Leo-2) and murine neuroblastoma cells (NA-2, C-1300, NIE-115) with dibutyryl cyclic 3'5'-adenosine monophosphate (dbcAMP), hypothalamic factor (HF), and somatostatin. As morphological criteria of cellular differentiation we used the decrease in cell proliferation and the formation of neurites. Functional parameters were the increase of A cholinesterase activity, cAMP level, and protein content, and the decrease of cGMP level. After application of dbcAMP and HF, the effects were stronger than after somatostatin. We believe that the action of HF and somatostatin is caused by an increase in cAMP levels. In the in vivo experiments, human and murine neuroblastoma cells (NA-2, C-1300, and Leo-2) were transplanted into nude/nude mice. After HF treatment of 14 mice with NA-2 tumors, 4 of the mice were tumor-free, and mean tumor weight was reduced to one-third of the controls. Of the animals with C-1300 and Leo-2 tumors, half became tumor-free, and mean tumor weight was reduced to one-fourth. The results indicate that the induction of cellular differentiation by factors and hormones may in future become a method of therapy for human neuroblastoma.