Some effects of tumor implantation site on tumor-host relations.

Jensen sarcoma, Walker carcinoma, Xovikoff hepatoma, and MDAB hepatoma were used to study the effects of different sites of tumor implantation upon the host rat. Equal volumes of the same tumor cell suspension were given either i.p., i.m., or s.c. Tumor effects upon the host rat were compared between implant sites, between the different tumors, and with azo dye-induced primary tumors. Host effects measured were carcass weight, hemoglobin concentration, liver catalase activity, plasma copper, plasma iron, plasma lactic dehydrogenase, and various organ weight«. The effect of varying the tumor implantation site was signifi cant, and therefore must be considered in tumor-host relationship studies. Generally, the i.p. transplants had the most rapid growth and produced the largest adrenals, smallest thymuses, lowest total iron-binding capacity, and most anemia. The i.m. transplants caused the most carcass weight loss and the greatest lowering of liver catalase and plasma iron concentration. Subcutaneous tumors caused the most pronounced increase in plasma copper and in liver and spleen weights. Although there were many simi larities between effects produced by primary and transplantable tumors, no one site of implantation accurately reproduced the host effects seen with the primary tumor.