Creation of porcine liver tumour using human hepatoma cell lines: Experimental study

Abstract

Background : Pig is an ideal animal to study the efficacy of surgical and ablative treatment options available for the treatment of liver tumours. But there is no liver tumour model available in pig. This experiment was carried out to create liver tumours in the pig using immunosuppression and portal tolerance. Material & methods: Two mini pigs( specific pathogen free) were immunosuppressed using cyclosporine, azathioprine and prednisolone immunotherapy. Human hepatoma cell line (HepG2) was delivered into the liver through portal vein injection. Engraftment of the tumour cell was monitored using regular measurement of serum alfa- fetoprotein level (AFP). Pigs were sacrificed at the end of 6 weeks to confirm any evidence of tumour in the liver. Result: Although there was rise in serum AFP level in the first week, tumour cells did not engraft in the liver and there was no evidence of liver tumour at the end of experiment. Conclusion: Effect of immunosuppression and portal tolerance does not prevent rejection of human hepatoma cells by porcine immune system.