# HETEROGENEITY OF HUMAN COLONIC CARCINOMA

> **NIH NIH R01** · BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE · 1987 · $105,989

## Abstract

During the previous period of support we established 25 human colon
carcinoma cell lines from 20 primary tumor specimens.  The cell lines had
diverse biological properties which were reflective of the inter and
intratumoral heterogeneity associated with this disease in humans.  The
cell lines were divided into 3 groups on the basis of biological and
biochemical properties.  Group I was highly aggressive and undifferentiated
while Group III lines were relatively indolent and differentiated.  Group
II lines had intermediate properties.  Transforming growth factors (TGF)
and factors which inhibited anchorage independent growth (TIF) of malignant
cells were isolated from a Group II colon carcinoma cell line.  These
factors showed selective activity towards Group III (TGF and TIF) and Group
II (TIF) lines, but had no activity with Group I lines.  These results
suggest that the heterogeneity of human colon carcinoma is due at least in
part to the ability to express or respond to a specific balance of
endogenous stimulatory and inhibitory factors.  In other work utilizing
model systems of malignant mouse cells with well-characterized growth
controls involving TGF's we showed that differentiation agents like
N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) and retinoic acid (RA) eliminate RGF
sensitivity and alter growth factor expression while re-establishing normal
growth controls to the treated malignant cells.

During the next period of support we propose to determine the relationship
between the biological phenotype of colonic carcinoma cells and growth
factors.  The types of factors produced by each of the groups will be
determined.  The sensitivity of the groups to each factor isolated will be
determined.  Finally, the modulation of the biological properties of colon
carcinoma cell lines by DMF, RA and TIF will be related to alterations in
factor expression and/or sensitivity.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3172109
- **Project number:** 5R01CA034432-05
- **Recipient organization:** BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
- **SAM.gov UEI:** FXKMA43NTV21
- **Principal Investigator:** MICHAEL G BRATTAIN
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1987
- **Award amount:** $105,989
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1982-02-01 → 1988-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3172109

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3172109, HETEROGENEITY OF HUMAN COLONIC CARCINOMA (5R01CA034432-05). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3172109. Licensed CC0.

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