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The potential of the nude mouse xenograft model for the study of head and neck cancer

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Summary

A total of 130 human head and neck cancers was transplanted subcutaneously in athymic nude mice in order to obtain a series of xenografts. All tumours were derived from previously untreated patients. Initial growth, which was histopathologically confirmed, was observed in 34 cases (26.1%). Serial passages were successful in 12 of 23 cases (52.1%). Of 117 squamous cell carcinomas, 30 (25.9%) showed initial take in the mice. Poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinomas tend to grow more readily than moderately differentiated and well-differentiated ones. Material from metastatic lymph nodes tends to show a higher take than material from primary tumours. In general the tumour-volume doubling time decreased to 4–6 days when the number of passages increased. Histology of the xenografted tumours showed that transplantation had caused no major changes. No macro-, or microscopic signs of metastasis were observed in any of the mice. The implications of this model for fundamental and applied research are discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Otolaryngology, Free University Hospital, de Boelelaan 1117, 1081, HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    B. J. M. Braakhuis, G. Sneeuwloper & G. B. Snow

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  1. B. J. M. Braakhuis
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  2. G. Sneeuwloper
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  3. G. B. Snow
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Supported by grants of the “Koningin Wilhelmina Fonds (KWF)”, no.: AUKC-VU 82-11

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Braakhuis, B.J.M., Sneeuwloper, G. & Snow, G.B. The potential of the nude mouse xenograft model for the study of head and neck cancer. Arch Otorhinolaryngol 239, 69–79 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00454264

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00454264

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