ANCHORAGE-INDEPENDENT COLONY GROWTH OF FETAL HAMSTER LUNG EPITHELIAL-CELLS AFTER TREATMENT WITH DIEPOXYBUTANE

To test the reliability of a new cell transformation assay, a cloned f etal Syrian hamster lung epithelial cell line (M3E3/C3) was used. The target cells originating from the respiratory tract were treated in vi tro over a concentration range of 0-10(-5) M/l with diepoxybutane, cul tured during the expression period of 28 or 35 days and then transferr ed into soft agar. Anchorage independent colony growth in soft agar oc curs only if cells are transformed. Growth and number of colonies were taken as a score of the carcinogenic potential of the test substance. Under the conditions of this cell transformation assay it was possibl e to detect the carcinogenic potential of diepoxybutane unequivocally.