Pentagastrin stimulation of human colon carcinoma

This study examines the trophic effects of pentagastrin administration on the growth of transplanted human colon carcinoma in mice. Three different human colon carcinomas were implanted into dorsal subcutaneous pouches of BALB-C athymic mice-tumor A, COLO 320 DM undifferentiated carcinoma; tumor B, WiDr epithelial carcinoma; and tumor C, mucus-producing signet-ring cell adenocarcinoma from a patient volunteer. Tumors grew for four to six weeks and then groups were randomly assigned to receive either saline injections or pentagastrin, 2.0 mg/kg three times a day for 14 days before harvest. Tumors were homogenized and analyzed for DNA, RNA, and protein contents. Each tumor type showed a different biochemical pattern of response to pentagastrin stimulation. The data confirm that pentagastrin is trophic to human colon carcinoma and suggest a possible clinical role for hormonal manipulation.