[Analysis of the growth kinetics of autochthonous DMBA-induced tumors in mice of various ages and sex].

In order to understand the kinetics of this experimental model, we studied the influence of age and sex on primary tumoral and pulmonary metastatic yields and on the growth kinetics parameters. Connective tissue tumors were induced by DMBA in male and female Swiss mice of various ages (pre and postpubertal, adult and menopausal). Old mice (induced during the post-menopausal period) show the lowest yield and the slowest growth kinetics. However, prepubertal mice show the highest yield and rapid tumor growth. The characteristics of this experimental model, and particularly the different responsiveness with age, suggest that it may be of value in human preclinical studies.