VITAMIN-D RECEPTORS AND ANTIPROLIFERATIVE EFFECTS OF VITAMIN-D DERIVATIVES IN HUMAN PANCREATIC-CARCINOMA CELLS IN-VIVO AND IN-VITRO

The GER human pancreatic carcinoma cell line possesses receptors for 1 ,25-dihydroxyvitamin D-3. We report that the vitamin D analogue EB 108 9 inhibits the growth of these cells in vitro and when grown as tumour xenografts in immunodeficient mice. Tumour-bearing mice were given EB 1089 at a dose of 5 mu g kg(-1) body weight i.p. thrice weekly for 4- 6 weeks. Tumour growth was significantly inhibited in treated animals compared with controls in the absence of hypercalcaemia. These finding s may have therapeutic implications in pancreatic cancer.