Characterization of a human malignant mesothelioma cell line (H-MESO-1): a biphasic solid and ascitic tumor model.

Human malignant mesothelioma of the pleura was successfully transplanted s.c. into athymic nude mice and grew as a solid neoplastic mass. Tumor growth resulted in death of the animals between 98 and 161 days after implantation. Minced samples of the growing tumor were propagated as a malignant peritoneal effusion. Animals with malignant ascites died predictably at 32 to 33 days. Light and electron microscopy, and immunocytochemistry demonstrated a similarity of the transplanted solid and fluid malignancies with the human primary mesothelioma. Cytogenetic analysis demonstrated a predominance of cells with a triploid number of identifiable but abnormal human chromosomes. This model, which mimics the clinical behavior of malignant mesothelioma in the human, may be of value in animal trials of chemotherapy and immunotherapy.