Establishment of a model of transplantable myelocytic leukemia (L801) in LACA mice

A transplantable myelocytic leukemia model of LACA mice, designated by the name of L801, was established by intravenous injection of spleen cell suspension from mice with radiation-induced myelocytic leukemia into mice of the same strain. Until now, for more than three years, the L801 has maintained stable and rapid growth and has been reproduced for over 130 serial passages. The incidence of leukemia in inoculated animals was approximately 100% and mean survival time was 10.9 +/- 2.1 days. The L801 is of myelocytic type which has been determined by cytological, cytochemical, pathological and ultrastructural observations. Its karyotype was hypodiploid, characterized by modal number of 39, loss of Y chromosome and an abnormal huge marker chromosome. The cell cycle duration of the L801 was 16 h. C-type viral particles were observed under the electron-microscope. The L801 was sensitive, to varying extents, to various anti-tumor agents. We presume that the L801 is a useful tool in studies on mechanism of leukemogenesis, anti-tumor agent screening and treatment of experimental tumors.