In our previous studies, we established a lymphogenous metastatic SCID mouse model using orthotopic implantation of human lung cancer cell lines. However, the lymphogenous metastatic potential of each cell line in our models does not reflect that of a primary tumor. In this study, we made orthotopic implanted models using primary cultured cells from surgically-resected lung cancer tissues. Tissues of 5 patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were applied to a primary culture method using a collagen gel coated flask. Suspensions of 2.0x104 cancer cells were injected into the left lung of SCID mice. We could maintain primary culture cells from 2 (FM205 and FT821 cells) of 5 lung cancers, and made orthotopically implanted SCID mouse models. The size of both tumors in implanted sites of the lung increased with time. The FM205 cells microscopically were metastasized to the mediastinum by 4 weeks after implantation and macroscopically metastasized by 16 weeks. The FT821 cells were microscopically metastasized to the mediastinum by 4 weeks after implantation and macroscopically metastasized by 6 weeks. The lymphogenous metastatic potential of these primary culture cells was similar to that of clinical tumors. As the lymphogenous metastatic potential of this model reflects that of the clinical tumor, it is useful for elucidating the mechanism of lymphogenous metastasis and selecting anticancer drugs suitable for an individual patients.

Related Articles