Creation of porcine liver tumor using human hepatoma cell lines: experimental study.
BACKGROUND
Pig is an ideal animal to study the efficacy of surgical and ablative treatment options available for the treatment of liver tumors. But there is no liver tumor model available in pig. This experiment was carried out to create liver tumors in the pig using immunosuppression and portal tolerance.


METHODS
Two mini pigs (specific pathogen free) were immunosupressed using cyclosporine, azathioprine and prednisolone immunotherapy. Human hepatoma cell line (HepG2) was delivered into the liver through portal vein injection. Engraftment of the tumor cell was monitored using regular measurement of serum alfa- fetoprotein level (AFP). Pigs were sacrificed at the end of six weeks to confirm any evidence of tumor in the liver.


RESULTS
Although there was rise in serum AFP level in the first week, tumor cells did not engraft in the liver and there was no evidence of liver tumor at the end of experiment.


CONCLUSIONS
Effect of immunosuppression and portal tolerance does not prevent rejection of human hepatoma cells by porcine immune system.
Rai
R
R
Department of Surgery, Russel's Hall Hospital, Dudley, UK. Rai2000@hotmail.com
Flecknell
P
P
Richardson
C
C
Manas
D M
DM
D000818:Animals; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000494:pharmacology; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000494:pharmacology; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006085:Graft Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D008114:Liver Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000494:pharmacology; D013552:Swine; D013556:Swine, Miniature; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured / Q000637:transplantation
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine; D011239:Prednisolone; D001379:Azathioprine