Detection metastic tumor cells by intraperitoneal inoculation or organ brei from tumor-bearing mice.

Abstract

1. Intraperitoneal inoculation of mashed organs or blood from tumor-bearing mice resulted, in numerous instances, in peritoneal growth in new mice. These results were attributed to the present in the inoculated material of viable tumor cells spread from the primary growth by implantation and by metastasis. 2. By the use of this method in mice bearing tumors of various strains (two sarcomas: S-37 and S-180; three carcinomas: E 0771, Barrett's [C3H/Am] and H-2712) at various sites of their bodies, it was found that the frequency and distribution of metastatic cells in various organs showed different patterns for various tumor strains and depended, for the same tumor strain, on the site and the age of primary tumor growth. The number of metastatic cells in an organ was reflected by the rate of growth of intraperitoneal tumors induced by inoculation of this organ. 3. Discussion of the data correlating the site of localization of metastatic cells (certain organs) with the site of their origin (site of the primary neoplasm) indicated the spread of these cells from the primary tumor by routes of serous fluids, lymph, and blood. 4. Application of the outlined method of detection of metastatic cells for the study of metastases from transferable tumors and for the screening of metastases-inhibiting agents is suggested.