An improved and versatile immunosuppression protocol for the development of tumor xenograft in mice.

BACKGROUND The objective of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of a simple, versatile and cost-effective immunosuppression protocol, using cyclosporine, ketoconazole and cyclophosphamide drug regimen to develop human tumor xenograft in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS Cyclosporine, ketoconazole and cyclophosphamide drug regimen was administered to C57BL/6 mice to induce immunosuppression. Five million A549, LNCaP and KB cells were injected subcutaneously in the immunocompromised mice for the development of tumor xenograft. Tumor volume was calculated every week. Histopathology of tumor tissue was analyzed. RESULTS Prolong immunosuppression was achieved by this combination treatment. The average tumor volume was found to be greater than 600 mm(3). Histopathology of tumor tissue revealed the presence of large and irregular nucleus and scanty cytoplasm, which are characteristic of malignant cells. CONCLUSION A versatile immunosuppression protocol was developed which was validated for xenograft development using three different cell lines, with a 100% take rate and no mortality.