The nude mouse model for human retinoblastoma: a system for evaluation of retinoblastoma therapy.

We have critically examined the nude mouse model for human retinoblastoma to determine whether or not characteristics found in the parent tumor are retained in the mouse. We have demonstrated that most tumors grown in the anterior chamber of the nude mouse maintain a similar karyotype, show the same degree of differentiation and develop an adequate tumor blood supply when compared to the primary tumor from which they were obtained. Because of these findings, we suggest that this model may be particularly useful for evaluating new methods or combinations of treatment for human retinoblastoma.