Cancer induction in the DMBA hamster cheek pouch: a modified technique using a promoter.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate a modified method of carcinogenesis induction using the 9,10-dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene (DMBA) sustained-release suture technique followed by arecaidine promotion in the hamster cheek pouch model.


METHODS
Prospective, controlled animal study.


METHODS
Number 3-0 cotton sutures were impregnated with DMBA and coated with silicone elastomer. These sutures were placed in the cheek pouch of Syrian hamsters in the submucosal space to a length of approximately 1.5 cm. The suture placement was confirmed every 2 weeks and replaced if lost. After 12 weeks, the DMBA-coated sutures were removed. The cheek pouches were everted and painted with a solution of arecaidine three times weekly for up to an additional 4 weeks or until the tumor reached a size of 100 mm2.


RESULTS
We placed sutures in 165 Syrian hamster cheek pouches. Of these, 133 hamsters (80.6%) produced squamous cell carcinomas that reached a size of 100 mm2 and then were randomly selected for treatment in a new drug trial. Twenty-six hamsters (15.8%) were found dead and 6 (3.6%) were killed because of severe inflammation.


CONCLUSIONS
The DMBA hamster cheek pouch model is a reliable and efficient animal model for inducing squamous cell carcinoma and can be used to study upper aerodigestive tract tumors.
Wani
M K
MK
Department of Otolaryngology, University of Tennessee School of Medicine, Memphis 38163, USA.
Yarber
R H
RH
Ahmed
A
A
Hengesteg
A
A
Robbins
K T
KT
D015127:9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene / Q000633:toxicity*; D000818:Animals; D001115:Arecoline / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000633:toxicity*; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000633:toxicity*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D002610:Cheek; D006224:Cricetinae; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D008647:Mesocricetus; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D013537:Sutures
D002273:Carcinogens; C015688:arecaidine; D001115:Arecoline; D015127:9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene