Induction of unusual pancreatic neoplasms, with morphologic similarity to human tumors, and evidence for their ductal/ductular cell origin.

A variety of pancreatic neoplasms, including giant cell, poorly differentiated or other unusual types, some morphologically similar to those observed in humans were induced in Syrian hamsters. Unclassified or anaplastic forms were also noted in the hamster. The finding of a blood group A-like antigen, which is produced by normal pancreatic ductal and ductular cells, in all of these induced tumors, but none in acinar, insular, and mesenchymal cells, suggests their ductal/ductular cell origin.