Liver transplantation for diethylnitrosamine-induced hepatocellular carcinoma in rats.

Abstract

Because the rate of recurrence after liver transplantation has been high,3-9 it has been speculated that the requisite immunosuppressive agents may enhance the recurrence of original malignancies by weakening immune surveil­ lance. 3- lo In the present study, we have tested this hypoth­ esis by inducing HCC in rats by multiple injections of diethylnitrosamine (DEN), followed by isogeneic liver transplantation with and without immunosuppression with FK 506 and cyclosporine (CyA). The results were incon­ clusive.