DEVAZEPIDE (L-364718) INHIBITS GROWTH AND INCREASES EXPRESSION OF TUMOR-MARKERS IN HT29-S-B6 CELLS

Devazepide (L-364718, a nan-peptide antagonist of CCK-A receptors), in hibits the proliferation and induces morphologic changes in the mucous -secreting, autonomously proliferating human cancer colon cell line HT 29-S-B6. Addition of devazepide (10 mu M) for at least 3 days in the e xponential phase of growth enhanced the baseline production of gastric M1 mucins 2-3-fold and that of carcinoembryonic antigen 5-fold. Moreo ver, devazepide induced an increase in the amount of the MUC-5AC mRNA expressed by HT29-S-B6; cells. The increase in mucins secretion induce d by devazepide war persistent after drug removal and independent of t he presence of serum. In conclusion, devazepide-L-364718 behaves as a maturation agent in the cell clone HT29-S-B6.