title: Enhancement of human chorionic gonadotrophin production by antimetabolites.
abstract: The action of methotrexate, actinomycin D, bleomycin, vincristine and hydroxyurea on the production of human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) by a choriocarcinoma cell line (BeWo) has been studied. hCG production per unit of cell protein was increased, and this was a continuing process only halted by cell death. The proportion of hCG-producing cells in the population increased from approximately 5% to a maximum of approximately 40% during incubation with vincristine. A possible explanation for these and related observations is that cytotoxic agents promote the differentiation of cytotrophoblast to syncytium. A similar mechanism could contribute to the unusual sensitivity of choriocarcinoma to cytotoxic agents.
mesh_terms: D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002460:Cell Line; D002822:Choriocarcinoma / Q000378:metabolism*; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009374:Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D013997:Time Factors; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000964:Antimetabolites, Antineoplastic; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin