Growth characteristics of human laryngeal carcinoma in athymic mice

We report the growth characteristics of seven human laryngeal carcinomas transplanted into athymic mice. Six of the tumors were harvested from surgical pathology specimens and one was from a laryngeal carcinoma cell line. Tumor tissue measuring 2-3 cubic millimeters was implanted subcutaneously into the flank of the mice. Time intervals between implantation and active growth were recorded and tumor volume was calculated weekly. Mice were sacrificed at various time intervals. For three tumors, second and third passages of the tumor were performed. Successful tumor growth was achieved in 6/7 (85.7%) tumors. Primary implantation of tumor was performed in a total of 26 mice, 17 of which grew successfully. The average time interval between tumor implantation and measurable tumor growth for the five zenografts derived directly from patients was 36 days (range 25-40 days). The mean doubling time was 16 days (range 7-30 days). The overall take rate per animal for serial passage of tumor was 36 out of 43 (83.7%). The lag phase and the mean tumor doubling time decreased with each successive passage. At autopsy most tumors were confined to the subcutaneous structures by a well-formed capsule. Lymph node metastases and disseminated metastases were not seen. We conclude that the athymic mouse model is suitable to establish primary tumor growth of human laryngeal cancer.