An improved orthotopic xenotransplant procedure for human lung cancer in SCID bg mice

Background. Overall prognosis in human lung cancer is still poor. A highly reproducible, easy to perform in vivo model, which closely resembles the cl inical features of advanced human lung cancer, is required for the evaluati on of novel therapies. Methods. Tumor cells, originated from a human adenocarcinoma, a squamous ce ll carcinoma, and an undifferentiated large cell carcinoma, were xenotransp lanted heterotopically by subcutaneous and intravenous injection acid compa red with orthotopic intrapleural and intrapulmonary xenotransplantation by a facilitated engraftment procedure into SCID bg mice. Results. Subcutaneous injection of tumor cells resulted in a 100% engraftme nt rate with establishment of solid tumors without clinically relevant meta stases. Intravenous injection had poor engraftment rates by hematogenous sp read. Depending on the cell line, a 80% to 100% engraftment rate in orthoto pic xenotransplantation was achieved, resulting in a consistent pattern of mediastinal and bilateral pulmonary metastases. Conclusions. The facilitated orthotopic xenotransplantation of human lung c ancer is easy to perform and results in a reproducible in vivo model that c losely resembles the clinical features of advanced human lung cancer. Conse quently, this model appears suitable for in vivo evaluation of novel cancer therapies in preclinical tests. (C) 2000 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeo ns.