Characterization of a human ovarian carcinoma cell line: UCI 101

A new epithelial ovarian carcinoma cell line (UCI 101) has been established from the ascitic fluids and solid tumor of a patient with progressive papillary adenocarcinoma of the ovary shown previously to be refractory to combination chemotherapy consisting of cyclophosphamide, Adriamycin, and cisplatin as well as single-agent chemotherapy of taxol and high-dose cisplatin. The UCI 101 cell line grows well with an in vitro doubling time of 24 hr. The cell line expresses the B 72.3 (Tag 72), CA125, MH99 (ESA), and E29 (EMA) cell surface antigens and AE1/AE3 cytokeratins. This cell line overexpresses (as determined by immunocytochemistry) both p-glycoprotein and the epidermal growth factor receptor. The in vitro drug response to single agents including Adriamycin, cisplatin, dequalinium chloride, etoposide, 5-fluorouracil, taxol, and tumor necrosis factor was examined. Intraperitoneal transplantation of the cells into athymic mice resulted in foci of tumor on all peritoneal surfaces including the viscera and diaphragm ultimately leading to solid bulky disease with massive production of ascites. High levels of CA125 (> 500 units/ml) were detected in the serum of tumor-bearing mice. Cytogenetic analysis of cultured cells shows several marker chromosomes containing deletions, duplications, and translocations. Cytologic and histologic evaluation of the xenograft revealed morphological characteristics identical to those of the original tumor.