Transplantable Malignant Cholangiocarcinoma From Hamster Liver

Abstract

We report a highly malignant transplantable tumor, derived from the liver of a hamster fed 2-acetylaminofluorene, that did not appear malignant in the donor. A piece of liver tissue was transplanted into three male weanling hamsters; two months later, all three developed masses at the site of transplantation. The neoplasm was a firm, multinodular white mass, histologically characteristic of scirrhous carcinoma. Hamsters with transplants of tumor tissue, cell suspension, or cell culture all developed a highly malignant tumor. Those with transplants of sonicated cells, pieces of liver from untreated hamsters, and saline injections did not develop neoplastic growths. Transplants through 30 passages were viable, highly malignant, and maintained the original cell type.