Generation of metastatic variants of Eker renal carcinoma cell lines for experimental investigation of renal cancer metastasis.

We and others have demonstrated that a mutation in Tsc2 is the rate-limiting step for renal carcinogenesis in the Eker rat model. Although inactivation of Tsc2 results in development of renal tumors, it is not sufficient for metastatic renal cell carcinomas (RCs) in the Eker rat. To investigate the additional genetic event(s) necessary for cancer metastasis, we have established highly metastatic S-Lk9d-SLM cell lines from a non-metastatic RC cell line (Lk9dL) by co-implantation with a foreign body (gelatin sponge). Since these cell lines were remarkably different in metastatic performance (all and none, respectively) despite having the same genetic background, they should be useful experimental tools to investigate metastasis-promoting events in renal carcinogenesis.