Azaserine-induced rat pancreas tumor model with transplantable cultured cells

The purpose of this study was to describe the inoculation technique and patterns of growth as well as to characterize typical histological features of Lewis rat subcutaneous and intrapancreatic tumors, induced by inoculation of cultured pancreatic cancer cells (DSL-6A/C1). Subcutaneous inoculation of cultured cells produced a solid tumor that was a locally invasive, well- to moderately differentiated ductal adenocarcinoma. Tumor take was 100% in animals 5 weeks of age; tumor growth was consistent and predictable and a tumor volume of approximately 1 cm3 was reached in 8 weeks. After intrapancreatic transplantation the tumors showed the same histological features as subcutaneous tumors. During inoculation carcinoma cells easily spread around the injected area, and after 2 weeks both pancreatic tumors and superficially infiltrating carcinomas were found in the liver and spleen and around the peritoneum. Tumor take was 60% and tumor growth was somewhat indefinite and unpredictable in the pancreas. However, by reducing the injected carcinoma cell volume and solving the technical problems, 100% tumor take was achieved. The tumor volume reached 2 mm3 during 2 weeks and larger tumors showed a tendency for invasion. According to our results, subcutaneous as well as intrapancreatic tumor induction with cultured cells offers a model for pancreatic cancer studies.