Differential expression of gastrin, cholecystokinin-A and cholecystokinin-B receptor mRNA in human pancreatic cancer cell lines
BACKGROUND: It has been assumed that gastrin stimulates the growth of pancreatic cancer in an autocrine way through co-expression of gastrin and the cholecystokinin-B receptor (CCK-BR). However, pancreatic cancer cell lines established directly from patients have revealed a great heterogeneity in cell proliferation when exposed to CCK, gastrin and their receptor antagonists. The aim of this study