[Development of a new therapeutic method in hepatocellular carcinoma using a culture system--the intensifying effect of human epidermal growth factor (hEGF) on the antitumor action of antitumor agents].
The culture system of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been established and the effect of hepatotrophic factors on these cell lines have been studied. During this study the effect of the human epidermal growth factor intensifying anti-tumor action of anti-tumor agents will be evaluated. HCC cell lines (C-HC-4, C-HC-20) show logarithmic growth in the serum-free medium. These growth curves after administration of 1 x 10(-12- -8) M of hEGF were measured, and the existence of the hEGF receptors was evaluated using the ABC method. The growth curve of HC-4 transplanted into nude mice was measured in 4 groups; the control group, the hEGF group, the gamma Interferon (gamma IFN) group, and the hEGF + gamma IFN group. The hEGF enhanced the cell growth of C-HC-4 and C-HC-20, and EGF receptors were confirmed immunohistologically. In the hEGF+ gamma IFN group, growth inhibition seems to be most important. The hEGF may intensify the anti-tumor action of the anti-tumor agents.