Transplantation of mouse plasmacytoma to the hamster's cheek pouch. I. Changes in tumour size and paraprotein concentration in the serum of the host.

Mouse myeloma cells (MPC-11) secreting gamma-2-b globulin were shown to proliferate into solid tumours after transplantation into the hamster cheek pouch. The implanted tumours continued to grow during the first 2 weeks; thereafter they diminished in size and disappeared completely a month after transplantation. The specific MPC-11 gammaglobulin could be detected in the serum of the hosts within 2 days after the transplantation and the changes in its concentration roughly correlated with the tumour size. The estimated half-life of the MPC-11 gammaglobulin in the circulation of the tumour-bearing hamsters was 4-6 days. Host resistance was demonstrated in tumour-bearing hamsters by their failure to develop tumours on second challenge with MPC-11 cells.