[Fundamental study on the mechanisms of "cellular effect" in choriocarcinoma]

The relationship between the growth potential and hCG secretion in 2 kinds of human choriocarcinoma cell lines was studied by using 5 kinds of anticancer drugs in strict in vitro conditions. The results are as follows. The hCG secretion per cell was enhanced when the DNA synthesis and growth of the cells were suppressed, irrespective of the human choriocarcinoma cell lines or anticancer drugs used. The hCG secretion per cell was suppressed when the rate of cell death increased. These results indicate that the transient rise in blood or urinary hCG values during chemotherapy ("cellular effect") is due to the suppression of DNA synthesis and growth of the cells and is not due to the result of the cell death.