A murine model for bladder cancer

Growth characteristics, survival time, and various other parameters such as chromosome studies and DNA synthesis were evaluated in a transplantable transitional cell mouse bladder tumor induced by N-[4-5-nitro-2-furyl)-2-thiazolyl] formamide (FANFT). When the tumor was implanted subcutaneously, the mice were observed to survive mean 43 + 7 days (mean +/- SEM) with an average tumor burden of mean 8.45 +/- 0.60 gm (mean +/- SEM) of solid tumor tissue. In the tumor control animals, lung metastasis was noted in 3 animals at 42-49 days post implantation. The histological appearance of the primary tumor and the lung metastasis presented an undifferentiated anaplastic tumor with many spindle cells. The modal number of chromosome is 65 with several markers identifiable as abnormal in morphology. A significant decrease (p less than 0.001) in DNA synthesis was noted between 13 days and 20 days post implantation. In the evaluation of chemotherapy drugs, Cis-dichloro-trans-dihydroxy-bis-iso propylamine platinum IV (CHIP), Cis-diaminedichloroplatinum II (DDP), Cyclophosphamide (CTX) and Methotrexate (MTX) tumor growth was significantly retarded (p less than 0.005) in the DDP treated groups, however survival was not improved. Survival was significantly improved in the CTX treated group (p less than 0.001), although no significant decrease was noted in tumor growth. Lung metastasis was noted in all groups. This model has certain characteristics which make it a good model to study locally invasive bladder cancer.