Heterogeneity of Angiogenic Activity in a Human Liposarcoma: a Proposed Mechanism for "No Take" of Human Tumors in Mice

Abstract

Human liposarcoma cells appear to be heterogeneous in their angiogenic activity. When tumor cells with little or no angiogenic activity are transplanted into SCID mice, a microscopic, dormant tumor results that may not grow further. Because such tiny tumors are neither grossly visible nor palpable, they have previously been called "no take." The finding that an angiogenic tumor can contain subpopulations of tumor cells with little or no angiogenic activity may provide a novel mechanism for dormant micrometastases, late recurrence, and changes in rate of tumor progression.