PRODUCTION OF ALPHA-FETOPROTEIN BY HUMAN GERM CELL TUMORS IN VIVO AND IN VITRO |
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| Authors: | Teiichi Motoyama Hidenobu Watanabe Takahiko Yamamoto Morimasa Sekiguchi |
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| Affiliation: | First Department of Pathology;*Department of Urology Niigata University School of Medicine, Niigata;**Department of Clinical Oncology, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo |
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| Abstract: | ![]()
The production of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) by human germ cell tumors was studied in surgical specimens, cultured cells and transplanted tumors in nude mice. AFP was detected most frequently in yolk sac (endodermal sinus) tumors, and it was also detected, though only occasionally, in embryonal carcinomas and in teratomas. AFP-positive cells in teratomas presented a glandular or hepatoid appearanece. Our experimental data suggest that AFP production in embryonal carcinomas is due to the functional expression of yolk sac differentiation preceding its morphologic expression. Although the transplanted tumors maintained the productivity of AFP, the cultured cells were not successful in maintaing a continuous AFP production. |
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