[In vitro studies of prolactinomas]

A few prolactinomas have been cultured into semipermanent cell lines. This transformation-like behavior is demonstrated. The tumor cells, obtained after transphenoidal surgery have been grown on extracellular matrix, using a mixture of Sephadex beads or a feeder layer of irradiated C.H.O. cells. The cells did survive to several sub-cultures and formed clones rapidly growing in soft agar. The PRL secretion evaluated through R.I.A. method declined with sub-culturing. A study of dopaminergic receptors on the same kind of material has shown the presence of those receptors and their persistence, even through sub-culturing.