HUMAN-MALIGNANT MELANOMA HETEROTRANSPLANTED TO NUDE-MICE

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 28  (5) , 585-591
Abstract
Five different human malignant melanomas were heterotransplanted s.c. to nude mice. When small tissue pieces were used, 3 of 5 tumors grew. S.c. injections of suspended tumor cells were also made, but all failed to take. Metastatic or infiltrative growth was never seen in the mice observed for up to 2.5 mo. The successful grafts largely retained the original morphological features. The 3 successfully transplanted tumors could all be serially transfered with 100% tumor take. In 1 case passage time was reduced from 40 to 15 days. As measured with 3H-thymidine incorporation, the proliferation rate increased during the passages. These changes might be due to a selection of more rapidly growing tumor cells in the nude mice. [The investigation and treatment of human malignant tumors can be facilitated by suitable experimental animal models.].