Effect of 7,12-Dimethylbenz[a]anthracerie on Non-Neoplasfic and Neoplastic Rodent Cells in Culture

Summary

The resistance or susceptibility to the toxic effect of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) in neoplastic and non-neoplastic, long-term, paired rodent lines in vitro appeared useful as a reliable, rapid, supplementary assay to determine tentatively the non-neoplastic state of the cell lines examined. No cytotoxicity was initially found in freshly explanted mouse embryo cells in the horse serum or fetal calf serum systems when surely they were not malignant. In long-term culture, in our system, sensitivity without exception was related to the non-neoplastic state. Data from such cells, usually obtained only after prolonged latent periods in appropriate hosts, are mandatory to confirm conclusively whether these cells can produce tumors. Limitations of the use of the assay with DMBA are recognized. Theories are proposed to account for the response of both freshly explanted and long-term cultures of rodent cells to DMBA.