Human transitional cell carcinoma in the NMRI-nu/nu mouse bladder: a new animal model for the in vivo use of monoclonal antibodies and cytotoxic agents.

Human transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder was successfully transplanted into the bladder of the NMRI-nu/nu mouse. Transplantation of a single-cell suspension from a human Grade II transitional cell carcinoma had an acceptance rate of 33%. The tumors showed invasive growth and could be identified by an anti-human monoclonal antibody. This tumor model can be valuable as an in vivo test system for the local use of cytotoxic agents and monoclonal antibodies in diagnosis of and therapy for human bladder carcinoma.