[Solid tumours of human primary hepatocellular carcinoma cell-lines in hypothymic mice: a model for biochemical and therapeutic studies (author's transl)].

HBsAg producing cell-lines of human primary hepatocellular carcinomas express a multitude of differentiated hepatocyte functions. They also grow in hypothymic (nude) mice as solid tumours. Here we describe the subcutaneous injection of cell-lines PLC/PRF/5, Hep 3B and Mahlavu (HBsAg negative) into hypothymic mice to produce a high tumour take without prior immunosuppressive treatment. Serial transplantation of tumour fragments into new animals allows the development of large homogeneous experimental groups and a substantial multiplication of tumour cell mass. The transplanted tumours from PLC/PRF/5 and Hep 3B cells continue to synthesize HBsAg and alpha-fetoprotein, and they secrete these proteins into the blood of their hosts. Fibrinogen and alpha 1-antitrypsin can be demonstrated in the cells of these two tumours but not in tumours originating from Mahlavu cells. This model offers experimental conditions to study the function of solid human primary liver cell carcinomas under the influence of an intact organism.