Human osteosarcoma cell lines are dependent on insulin-like growth factor I for in vitro growth.

Osteogenic sarcoma is the most common bone tumor of childhood and typically occurs during the adolescent growth spurt when growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) may be at their lifetime highest levels. Since IGF-I is involved in normal bone growth and differentiation, we have evaluated the possible role of IGF-I signaling in the growth of human osteogenic sarcoma cell lines. In this study, we demonstrate that in vitro survival of cells is dependent on exogenously supplied IGF-I. Furthermore, we show that these cells display functional IGF-I receptors on their surface and that in vitro growth is inhibited by blocking these receptors either by monoclonal antibodies or by antisense oligonucleotides. These data demonstrate that human osteogenic sarcoma cell lines are dependent on signaling through the IGF-I receptor for in vitro survival and proliferation. Furthermore, they suggest that modulation of the growth hormone/IGF-I axis may affect the growth of these tumors in vivo.

1 alpha, 25-dihydroxy-16-ene-23-yne-26,27-hexafluorocholecalciferol (Ro24-5531) modulation of insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3 and induction of differentiation and growth arrest in a human osteosarcoma cell line.

1 alpha,25-Dihydroxycholecalciferol [1,25-(OH)2D3] is a potent differentiating agent in a variety of tumor cell lines. However, the induction of severe hypercalcemia has limited its clinical use. Several analogs have been synthesized that retain the antiproliferative differentiating effects of 1,25-(OH)2D3, but do not have the calcitropic effect of the parent compound. One such analog, 1 alpha,25(OH)2-16-ene-23-yne-26,27-hexafluorocholecalciferol (Ro24-5531), can induce differentiation in HL-60 cells and does not induce hypercalcemia in animal models. We, therefore, evaluated the effect of Ro24-5531 on a human osteosarcoma cell line, MG-63. Compared with 1,25-(OH)2D3, the analog Ro24-5531 is 10-100 times more potent as an inhibitor of MG-63 cell proliferation, as determined by [3H]thymidine incorporation and/or 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. The inhibition in cell growth is accompanied by a decrease in the expression of p34cdc2 (> 4-fold), a protein critically involved in cell cycle regulation. Ro24-5531 treatment of MG-63, at a concentration of 10(-8) mol/L, induced expression of the bone differentiation markers biglycan and osteocalcin, as determined by Northern analysis. These data suggest that Ro24-5531 treatment induces growth arrest coupled with differentiation. To begin to evaluate the mechanisms by which Ro24-5531 may exert an effect, we evaluated the effect of Ro24-5531 on components of the insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) signaling pathway, an important regulator of normal bone growth and differentiation. The expression of IGF-binding protein (IGFBP), IGFBP-3 messenger ribonucleic acid, and protein levels are increased 20-fold after 72 h of treatment with Ro24-5531 and are associated with a marked increase in detectable binding of ligand to binding protein, as measured by RRA. These data suggest an association between Ro24-5531-induced growth arrest and increased expression of IGFBP-3.

The evolution of chemotherapeutic agents for the treatment of pediatric musculoskeletal malignancies.

The incorporation of antineoplastic agents in the treatment of pediatric musculoskeletal malignancies and their impact in the management and outcome of patients with these types of malignancies are briefly reviewed. The role of chemotherapy in the management of these tumors with special emphasis on osteosarcoma, Ewing's sarcoma family of tumors, and rhabdomyosarcoma and undifferentiated sarcomas is discussed. Also included are complications and side effects of the antineoplastic agents.

Langerhans' cell histiocytosis.

Langerhans' Cell Histiocytosis, formerly known as Histiocytosis X, and its related syndromes (i.e., eosinophilic granuloma, Hand-Schuller-Christian disease, and Letterer-Siwe disease) are briefly reviewed. The biology, clinical manifestations, and treatment options of the localized, single form and the disseminated, multisystem form are also discussed.