Induction of Neoplasms in Hamster Trachea! Grafts with 3-Methylcholanthrene-coated Lycra Fibers1

Synthetic Lycra spandex fibers were coated with 3methylcholanthrene (3MC) and inserted into the lumina of 104 tracheas removed from young adult inbred Syrian hamsters. Tumors appeared 3 to 21 months after implan tation of these trachea! grafts in syngeneic animals. 3MC in amounts ranging from 9 to 75 /¿g/fiberinduced a diversity of neoplasms in trachea! epithelium, the majority of which were classified histologically as carcinomas. Tumors failed to develop when smaller amounts of 3MC were used and in control trachea! grafts containing fibers without carcinogen. The use of tracer quantities of [14C]3MC allowed quantitation of the carcinogen dosage to the mucosa before and at intervals after grafting. These studies demonstrate the dosage-dependent sensitivity of the hamster trachea! epithelium to relatively small quan tities of 3MC. The direct application of carcinogens coated on synthetic fibers provides a useful tool for assaying water-insoluble carcinogens.