Growth and Metastasis of Human Melanoma Xenografts in the Hamster Host

Cell from three human melanoma cell culture lines (UCLASO-M-12, UCLASO-M-7, and WEG-1) were transplanted into the cheek pouches of immunosuppressed hamsters. Tumor nodules were found in the cheek pouches of hamsters, receiving any one of these lines, and by 90–100 days after transplantation, nearly all hamster had grossly visible lung metastases. Metastases were noted only in hamsters receiving continuous immunosuppression during the transplant period.