Direct implantation of Ph1 chromosome-positive myeloblasts into newborn hamsters

Peripheral leukocytes from a male patient with chronic myelogenous leukemia in blast crisis were implanted directly into the intraperitoneal cavity of seven newborn hamsters treated with antilymphocyte serum. At sacrifice 17-19 days after implantation, three hamsters were found to have disseminated tumors. The other four hamsters were cannibalized. Chromosome analysis of cells from the enlarged lymph nodes revealed the presence of a human male karyotype. Most metaphase cells were pseudodiploid with the Ph1 chromosome and isochromosome 17, while a few metaphase cells were classically diploid. Identical chromosome constitutions were observed in the original peripheral leukocytes of the patient. The results strongly suggested simultaneous heterotransplantation of Ph1-positive leukemic and normal leukocytes.