Human cervical carcinoma xenograft models for studies of the physiological microenvironment of tumors.
OBJECTIVE
To establish and characterize experimental tumor models of advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix.


METHODS
Permanent cell lines (CK-160 and TS-415) were established from pelvic lymph node metastases of two cervical carcinoma patients. Xenografted tumors were initiated by inoculating 5 x 10(5) cells into the gastrocnemius muscle of BALB/c nu/nu mice. The tumors were characterized with respect to histological appearance, fraction of necrotic tissue (NF), pimonidazole hypoxic fraction (HF(Pim)), interstitial fluid pressure (IFP), extracellular pH (pH(e)), metastatic propensity, and radiation sensitivity.


RESULTS
The xenografted tumors reflected the donor patients' tumors in histological appearance, metastatic propensity, and radiation sensitivity and showed significant intertumor heterogeneity in growth rate, NF, HF(Pim), IFP, and pH(e).


CONCLUSIONS
CK-160 and TS-415 xenografts possess properties making them relevant models for studies of the physiological microenvironment of cervical carcinoma and its influence on metastatic dissemination and response to treatment.
Ellingsen
Christine
C
Group of Radiation Biology and Tumor Physiology, Department of Radiation Biology, Institute for Cancer Research, Norwegian Radium Hospital, Ullernchausséen 70, 0310 Oslo, Norway.
Natvig
Ingrid
I
Gaustad
Jon-Vidar
JV
Gulliksrud
Kristine
K
Egeland
Tormod A M
TA
Rofstad
Einar K
EK
D000818:Animals; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000528:radiation effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008819:Mice, Nude; D009368:Neoplasm Transplantation; D009374:Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000473:pathology*; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000473:pathology; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D014965:X-Rays