AZASERINE-INDUCED RAT PANCREAS TUMOR-MODEL WITH TRANSPLANTABLE CULTURED-CELLS

The purpose of this study was to describe the inoculation technique an d patterns of growth as well as to characterize typical histological f eatures of Lewis rat subcutaneous and intrapancreatic tumors, induced by inoculation of cultured pancreatic cancer cells (DSL-BA/Cl), Subcut aneous inoculation of cultured cells produced a solid tumor that was a locally invasive, well-to moderately differentiated ductal adenocarci noma. Tumor take was 100% in animals 5 weeks of age; tumor growth was consistent and predictable and a tumor volume of similar to 1 cm(3) wa s reached in 8 weeks. After intrapancreatic transplantation the rumors showed the same histological features as subcutaneous tumors. During inoculation carcinoma cells easily spread around the injected area, an d after 2 weeks both pancreatic tumors and superficially infiltrating carcinomas were found in the liver and spleen and around the peritoneu m. Tumor take was 60% and tumor growth was somewhat indefinite and unp redictable in the pancreas. However, by reducing the injected carcinom a cell volume and solving the technical problems, 100% tumor take was achieved, The tumor volume reached 2 mm(3) during 2 weeks and larger t umors showed a tendency for invasion. According to our results, subcut aneous as well as intrapancreatic tumor induction with cultured cells offers a model for pancreatic cancer studies.