Growth and metastasis of tumor in organ culture

Abstract

A vitro growth of malignant tumors in their normal solid configuration would be an invaluable aid in the study of factors influencing metastases, cancer chemotherapy, and relationships between tumor and host tissue. Such a system would also open studies of functioning tumors and their relationship with circulating stimulatory substances. A system for the perfusion of isolated, small organs was developed in this laboratory as a by-product of an investigation originally designed to test the efficacy of hemoglobin-plasma solutions as a blood substitute for prolonged extracorporeal perfusion. Crystalline hemoglobin in plasma or serum was perfused through isolated organs, (thyroid, kidney, intestine) for several days in a small apparatus using a 50-cc.