ESTABLISHMENT OF A METASTATIC MODEL OF HUMAN HEPATOCELLULAR-CARCINOMAIN NUDE-MICE VIA ORTHOTOPIC IMPLANTATION OF HISTOLOGICALLY INTACT TISSUES

A highly metastatic LCI-D20 model of human hepatocellular carcinoma (H CC) was obtained via orthotopic implantation of a histologically prese rved metastatic tumour selected from 1 of 30 surgical specimens, and h as been maintained for 18 passages in nude mice. All mice with transpl anted tumour exhibited 100% transplantability and metastatic ability, as well as various manifestations reminiscent of tumour behaviour in H CC patients. These included: local growth, regional invasion, spontane ous metastasis to liver, lymph nodes and lungs, and peritoneal seeding . Histological characteristics of the LCI-D20 tumour were similar to t hose of the original tumour. Karyotypic analysis revealed heteroploid cells. Immunohistochemically, expression of AFP and HBxAg was shown. O ur nude mouse model with its high metastatic rate and short latency pe riod could be an interesting tool for the study of human HCC. (C) 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.