A simple and reproducible experimental in vivo glioma model.

A simple and reproducible injection technique has been developed for inducing an in vivo experimental astrocytoma model in rats. Newborn rats were injected with a suspension of astrocytoma C-6 cells in doses ranging from 5 to 1 X 10 5 cells. The optimum dose of tumor cells was found to be between 10 4 and 10 5 cells, with a consistent 100% take rate seen above 1 X 10 4 injected cells. The injection of less than 10 4 cells resulted in a decreased ability to induce tumors, and a prolonged survival. The pathology was consistent with that of a glioblastoma multiforme. The tumor showed a diffuse infiltrating border, necrosis, and pseudopalisading. Light microscopy revealed undifferentiated tumor cells while electron microscopy demonstrated rough endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi complexes, mitochondria, and the occasional cilium and centriole. The nature of the astrocytoma C-6 cell line, and the advantages, disadvantages and possible uses of the model and discussed.