Hamster Greene melanoma implanted in the anterior chamber of a rabbit eye: a reliable tumor model?

The hamster Greene melanoma (HGM), implanted into the anterior chamber (AC) of a rabbit eye, has previously been used as a model for testing experimental therapies against human uveal melanomas. Even without therapy, the tumor showed necrosis and hemorrhages 8-10 days after inoculation. These changes could interfere with the interpretation of the results of experimental therapies. In 8 rabbits, a piece of HGM was implanted subcutaneously, and after 4 weeks, HGM was also implanted in the AC of the eye. In these eyes, tumor growth in the AC slowed down, and more necrosis and hemorrhages were found clinically and histologically as compared to 8 rabbits without previous subcutaneous implantation of HGM. In spite of the long use of this tumor and frequent transfer, the tumor cells did not lose their antigenic potential.