Abstract: A composition comprising a non-fiber organic extract of psyllium which is anti-tumorigenic is described. The composition both restores gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) and inhibits anchorage independent growth of mammalian cells which have been transformed with the ras oncogene. The composition is a useful chemotherapy and chemopreventative agent. The composition was identified using a novel method for determining the anti-tumorigenic potential of a compound or composition.

Abstract: A composition comprising a non-fiber organic extract of psyllium which is anti-tumorigenic is described. The composition both restores gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) and inhibits anchorage independent growth of mammalian cells which have been transformed with the ras oncogene. The composition is a useful chemotherapy and chemopreventative agent. The composition was identified using a novel method for determining the anti-tumorigenic potential of a compound or composition.

Abstract: A human pancreatic ductal epithelial cell line immortalized with the human papilloma virus E6 and E7 genes which has stem cell-like characteristics and which can be induced to differentiate into ductal-like cells and beta-like cells that produce insulin. The immortal cells or derivative thereof are useful for treating insulin-dependent diabetes and in assays for determining the ability of a chemical to induce pancreatic stem cell differentiation or malignancy.

Abstract: Described is a substantially purified human breast epithelial cell (Type I HBEC) displaying the following characteristics: variable cell shape; smooth cell colony boundary; deficiency in gap junctional intercellular communication; positive expression of epithelial membrane antigen and keratin 18; negative expression of keratin 14, .alpha.6 integrin and gap junction genes for connexins (Cx26, Cx32 and Cx43); growth promotion by fetal bovine serum; induction by cholera toxin to differentiate into Type II HBEC (prior art); and acquisition anchorage independent growth by Semian virus 40 transfection. Also described is a method of obtaining the above-identified epithelial cells comprising the steps of: a) development of a mixture of human breast epithelial cells from reduction mammoplasty tissues using the MSU-1 medium; b) eliminating stromal fibroblasts by a trypsin (0.002%) and ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (0.

Abstract: Described is a substantially purified human breast epithelial cell (Type I HBEC) displaying the following characteristics: variable cell shape; smooth cell colony boundary; deficiency in gap junctional intercellular communication; positive expression of epithelial membrane antigen and keratin 18; negative expression of keratin 14, .alpha.6 integrin and gap junction genes for connexins (Cx26, Cx32 and Cx43); growth promotion by fetal bovine serum; induction by cholera toxin to differentiate into Type II HBEC (prior art); and acquisition of anchorage independent growth by Semian virus 40 transfection. Also described is a method of obtaining the above-identified epithelial cells comprising the steps of: a) development of a mixture of human breast epithelial cells from reduction mammoplasty tissues using the MSU-1 medium; b) eliminating stromal fibroblasts by a trypsin (0.002%) and ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (0.