[Cytomorphological effect of anticancer drugs on human solid tumors in nude mice--time response]

To evaluate the time response of anticancer drugs, we observed the morphological changes of solid tumor cells using a new simple method of cytologic examination. Mitomycin C and Bleomycin were administered to nude mice transplanted with human uterine cervical carcinoma of the Yumoto strain. The cancer cells were classified as follows: A, uniform, pyknotic nuclei with indistinct nucleoli; B, pyknotic nucleus with distinct nucleoli; C, pale-stained nuclei and cytoplasm; D, condensation of nuclei and cytoplasm. Three hours after MMC administration the destruction of the nuclei of A type cancer cells and shrinkage of B type cells was observed. Pyknosis of B type cells and destruction of C type cells was seen 7 hours after BLM administration. These characteristic changes which occurred at a very early period appear to be available as a marker for the evaluation of the oncostatic effect and for the anticancer drug selection in patients with malignancy.