Clonal selection within metastatic SP1 mouse mammary tumors is independent of metastatic potential

Our previous studies using randomly integrated plasmid DNA as unique clonotypic markers of SPI mouse mammary tumor cells transplanted into syngeneic CBA/J or nude mice demonstrated reproducible selection and eventual overgrowth of the primary transplant tumors by genotypically distinct metastatic subclones. Two independent metastatic SPI clones, neo5 and ras1, were shown to exhibit "clonal dominance" relative to the non-metastatic SPI tumor-cell population. These results suggested that the capacity for preferential growth within the tumors may be related to cellular properties associated with metastatic ability. To investigate the clonal interactions of metastatic SPI clones present within the same tumor mass, we have analyzed tumors composed of paired mixtures of neo5 and ras1. The tumors were monitored for the relative proportion of each clone by Southern blot analysis. The ras1 clone was found to dominate over the neo5 clone in the majority of tumors examined, even when present as 1% of the mixed inoculum. This represents a 20- to 50-fold enrichment of ras1, while the proportion of neo5 within the tumors was reduced at least 5-fold. No evidence for selection of either clone was seen during co-culture in vitro. Neo5 and ras1 are indistinguishable with respect to tumorigenic and metastatic potential when inoculated separately into different mice, suggesting that clonal dominance is independent of metastatic ability. Analysis of the metastases resulting from mixed inocula indicates that it is possible for a subpopulation representing less than 1% of the primary tumor mass to give rise to metastases. This also suggests that the process of metastasis within metastatic tumors is independent of clonal dominance.