Transplantable mouse 16/C mammary adenocarcinoma as a model in experimental cancer therapy. I. Kinetics of growth and spread.

Introduction of transplantable animal tumours has enabled the development of different model systems in which the site and type of tumour growth depends on the selection of suitable route for cells inoculation. Manipulation of the inoculation route of 16/C mammary adenocarcinoma results in local tumour growth either subcutaneous (s.c.), intramuscular (i.m.), intraperitoneal (i.p.) or intrasplenical (i.spl.) and development of metastases in lungs, lymph nodes, and liver. Exponential model of s.c. growth of the tumour was estimated and doubling time value calculated (3, 64 days). Correlation between the presence of tumour cells in lungs and advancement of s.c. growing tumours was found. Usefulness of 16/C adenocarcinoma as a model for experimental therapy is discussed.