1983 Volume 19 Issue 1 Pages 33-40
Seven childhood tumor xenografts in nude mice (BALB/C, nu/nu) were studied with regard to their morphology, karyotype, growth kinetics, and ability to produce human proteins. Seven of 19 childhood tumors could be serially transplanted in nude mice, i. e. neuroblastoma (CH-NB-1), Wilms' Tumor (CH-W-1, 2, 3), hepatoblastoma (CH-HB-1), rhabdomyosarcoma (CH-RS-1), yolk sac tumor (CH-YS-1). These xenografts preserved the original histology and also mainteined human chromosomal patterns. Two lines of hepatoblastoma (CH-HB-1) and Wilms' Tumor (CH-W-3), have histologically changed during serial transfers. A well differentiated type of hepatoblastoma has changed to a poorly differentiated type and complex subtype of Wilms' tumor to epithelial type. The growth rates in the exponential growth phase differed from 4. 5 to 20 days in volume doubling time, although the growth patterns of all xenografts followed a Gomperts curve. Hepatoblastoma (CH-HB-1) and yolk sac tumor (CH-YS-1) produced both α-fetoprotein and normal serum proteins. The serum values of α-fetoprotein increased progressively in relation to growth of the tumor. These results suggest that childhood tumor xenografts in nude mice preserve morphologic and functional properties of original tumors and are available for studies in experimental therapeutics.
