[Applicability of the subrenal capsule assay (SRCA) in primary breast carcinoma]

We have examined the application of the subrenal capsule assay (SRCA) by use of normal immunocompetent (NIC) mice for chemosensitivity testing of primary breast cancers. In 18 out of 20 carcinomas an evaluation was possible. AB mice (10 breast cancers) and B6D2-F1 mice (10 breast cancers) were taken as recipients. Measurement of the size and the histological examination of all transplants were obligatory performed before and after finishing the assay on day 6. By use of AB mice as well as B6D2 mice in each group in 6 out of 9 evaluable cancers occurred a significant growth of the transplanted tissues after 6 days (p less than 0.05). It could be demonstrated by the histological examination that the enlargement was a consequence of the immunological reaction of the NIC mouse to the xenogeneic material. In most cases (76 of 97 used mice) the transplants consisted of inflammation cells only. Vital tumor cells were seen only in few cases (21 of 97 used mice). It is concluded, that the SRCA is not suitable for chemosensitivity testing of human breast cancer, if NIC mice as recipients are used.