Phenotypic change of the transplantable MXT mammary adenocarcinoma into mixed bone producing sarcoma-like tumors.

The B6D2F1 mouse mammary adenocarcinoma was adapted to grow in vitro as monolayer. After in vitro passaging of tumor cells, phenotypic changes occurred that were expressed in vivo. Following intraperitoneal inoculation of tumor cells, bone-forming tumors developed. These tumors consisted of undifferentiated adenocarcinoma mixed with large amount of cartilagenous and osseous tissue. The etiology of these phenotypic changes was not yet determined. However, hypothesis of the possible origin of the cartilage and bone forming tissue was formulated. The biologic characterization of the intraperitoneally bone-forming tumor was achieved and the experimental conditions to preserve and induce the reproducible sarcoma-like bone forming tumors were defined. Our data support the usefulness of this new original model for fundamental research as well as for screening of anticancer drugs.