Analysis of epithelial–myoepithelial carcinoma based on the establishment of a novel cell line

Abstract 

Epithelial–myoepithelial carcinoma of the salivary gland is a rare, low-grade, neoplasm, composed of ductal and myoepithelial cells. We present two novel cell lines, which have been characterised by immunofluorescence, derived from an epithelial–myoepithelial carcinoma of the parotid gland. A resected mass of the parotid gland was diagnosed as an epithelial–myoepithelial carcinoma by routine histological examination. Part of the specimen was labelled with a panel of antibodies confirming the tumour type. The other part was finely minced and the explants were incubated in DMEM supplemented with penicillin and streptomycin, at 37 °C in a humidified 5% CO₂ atmosphere. Two cell types were identified by immunofluorescence—a small cobblestone cell, positive for AE1/AE3 and p53, and a polyhedral cell, positive for vimentin, smooth muscle markers and S-100. Herein two cell lines are presented in order to open up possibilities of new studies and a discussion of the events that culminate in this bimodal neoplasm is also performed.

Keywords:  Salivary gland tumour, Epithelial–myoepithelial carcinoma, Carcinogenesis