[Evaluation of the subrenal capsule assay (SRCA) in breast cancer using immunocompetent (NIC) mice]

To assess the value of subrenal capsule assay (SRCA) for predictive chemo-sensitivity testing in breast cancer 24 primary tumours were examined in normal immunocompetent (NIC; AB- and B6D2-F1-) mice. In 6 cancers the effect of 0.25 mg Prednisolone mous X day (applicated with drinking water) was compared to the control group. Independent of the mice-species a significant increase of the grafts size occurred in 14 of 20 evaluable cancers (p less than 0.05). Histologically the increase of tumour size was caused by infiltrated host cells, only in 22 of 107 (20.6%) grafts vitale tumour cells were detectable. After immunosuppression the increase of the grafts size was significant lower, than in the no treated control group (p less than 0.05). In groups treated with Prednisolone only a thin inflammatory host cell infiltration was observed, but vital tumour cells were only seen in 3 of 29 (10.3%) grafts.

Using normal immunocompetent mice subrenal capsule assay is not suited for predicting responsiveness of breast cancers to cytostatic drugs.