Effect of thalidomide on growth and metastasis of canine osteosarcoma cells after xenotransplantation in athymic mice

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether thalidomide inhibits the growth of primary and pulmonary metastatic canine osteosarcoma in mice after xenotransplantation. ANIMALS: Athymic nude mice. PROCEDURE: Canine osteosarcoma cells were injected SC in 50 mice. Mice were randomly placed into the following groups: control group (n = 13; DMSO [drug vehicle] alone [0.1 mL/d, IP]); low-dose group (12; thalidomide [100 mg/kg, IP]), mid-dose group (13; thalidomide [200 mg/kg, IP]); and high-dose group (12; thalidomide [400 mg/kg, IP]). Starting on day 8, treatments were administered daily and tumor measurements were performed for 20 days. On day 28, mice were euthanatized and primary tumors were weighed. Lungs were examined histologically to determine the number of mice with metastasis and tumor emboli. Mean area of the pulmonary micrometastatic foci was determined for mice from each group. RESULTS: Primary tumor size and weight were not significantly different among groups. The number of mice in the mid-dose (200 mg/kg) and high-dose (400 mg/kg) groups with micrometastasis was significantly less than the number of control group mice; however, the number of mice with tumor emboli was not affected by thalidomide treatment. Size of micrometastasis lesions was not affected by thalidomide treatment. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Mean area of micrometastases was not affected by treatment; however, growth of micrometastases had not yet reached an angiogenesis-dependent size. Although thalidomide did not affect growth of primary tumors in mice after xenotransplantation of canine osteosarcoma cells, our findings indicate that thalidomide may interfere with the ability of embolic tumor cells to complete the metastatic process within the lungs.     

Anti‐Tumor Effect of Adenovirus‐Mediated P53 Gene Therapy on the Growth of Canine Osteosarcoma Transplanted into Nude Mice

Introduction:  It has been reported that 40–50% of canine osteosarcoma cases have p53 mutations. The p53 tumor supressor gene plays a central role in cell cycle regulation and induction of apoptosis. We previously showed that adenoviral vector expressing canine P53 (AxCA‐cp53) inhibited growth of cultured canine osteosarcoma cell lines. Here, we evaluated anti‐tumor effect of adenovirus‐mediated p53 gene therapy on the growth of canine osteosarcomas transplanted into nude mice.
Methods:  Nine nude mice were subcutaneously injected with cells of a canine osteosarcoma cell line (POS) having p53 gene mutation. The transplanted tumors formed into nude mice were injected with AxCA‐cp53, AxCA‐LacZ (adenovirus vector expressing LacZ) or PBS (3 mice each) 7 times during 15 days. Tumor sizes were measured every 3 days for 27 days after injection with the adenovirus vectors. Expression efficiency of the adenovirus‐mediated gene transfer was examined by X‐gal staining and P53 immunostaining. Effects of the P53 expression on cell cycle control were examined by RT‐PCR for expression of p21 gene downstream of P53.
Results:  Significant differences in the tumor size was observed between the transplanted osteosarcoma tissues injected with AxCA‐cp53 and those injected with AxCA‐LacZ or PBS. Expressions of LacZ and P53 were confirmed at the injection sites of the tumors. Moreover, p21 mRNA expression was shown to be induced in the AxCA‐cp53‐injected tumors, indicating the funciton of P53 to induce cell cycle arrest.
Conclusions:  Adenoviral vector expressing canine P53 inhibited the growth of canine ostersarcoma transplanted into nude mice.     

Anti-tumor effect of adenoviral vector-mediated p53 gene transfer on the growth of canine osteosarcoma xenografts in nude mice

We evaluated the anti-tumor effect of adenoviral vector-mediated p53 gene therapy on the growth of canine osteosarcoma xenografts formed in nude mice. Nude mice were subcutaneously transplanted with cells of 2 P53 mutant canine osteosarcoma cell lines, POS and CHOS. The osteosarcoma xenografts were injected with either an adenoviral vector that expresses canine wild-type P53 (AxCA-cp53) or LacZ (AxCA-LacZ). Tumor growth was significantly inhibited in the xenografts injected with AxCA-cp53 in comparison to those injected with AxCA-LacZ or PBS during the observation period of 27 days. An increase of the amount of p21(WAF1/CDKN1A) mRNA, and the number of apoptotic cells was shown in the tumors injected with AxCA-cp53 in comparison to those injected with AxCA-LacZ or PBS. The present study revealed that the adenoviral vector-mediated p53 gene transfer had an anti-tumor effect in canine osteosarcoma xenografts formed in nude mice.     

Influence of vitamin D and retinoids on the induction of functional differentiation in vitro of canine osteosarcoma clonal cells

The efficacy of 22-oxacalcitriol (OCT), calcitriol, cholecalciferol, all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) and 9-cis retinoic acid (9-cis RA) to differentiate in vitro four clonal cells of the canine osteosarcoma cell line POS into cells having properties of a functionally mature osteoblast bone cell were investigated. The induction of intracellular alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, osteocalcin (GLA-OC) and type I collagen (PIP) production after 72 h treatment were used as markers of differentiation. At a concentration of 10(-8)M, OCT and calcitriol significantly induced all markers, and ATRA only the ALP of osteoblast, chondroblast and undifferentiated clonal cells. At the same concentration, 9-cis RA and cholecalciferol induced ALP of chondroblast and osteoblast cells, respectively; ATRA, 9-cis RA and cholecalciferol induced PIP of chondroblast and undifferentiated cells. None of the drugs significantly differentiated fibroblast cells. The ability of these agents to differentiate osteosarcoma cells into cells that exhibit properties of functionally mature osteoblastic bone cells may promote normal osteogenesis and reverse the loss of control of their differentiation.     

Inhibitory effects of 22-oxa-calcitriol and all- trans retinoic acid on the growth of a canine osteosarcoma derived cell-line in vivo and its pulmonary metastasis in vivo

Pulmonary metastasis is a major cause of death and a major obstacle to the successful treatment of canine osteosarcoma. However, the residual capacity of the neoplasia for differentiation and its susceptibility to undergo apoptosis may be used to suppress its growth and metastatic properties. The highly metastasizing POS (HMPOS) canine osteosarcoma cell line which preferentially metastasize to the lungs was used to test the possible efficacy of 22-oxa-calcitriol (OCT) and all- trans retinoic acid (ATRA) to inhibit growth and pulmonary metastasis of the subcutaneously grown osteosarcoma in nude mice. Treatments in vitro, morphologically elongated and increased alkaline phosphatase activity and staining of cells. Tumour growth in vivo was inhibited significantly and the combination treatment of OCT and ATRA (OCT + ATRA) exerted a synergistic and stronger suppression at concentration of 1.0 microg kg(-1)body weight when given subcutaneously three times a week for 5 weeks. The subcutaneous tumours of the control mice consisted of osteoblast-like cells and isolated chondroblast-like cells, but formed several areas of osteoid and increased amount of collagen tissue in all treated mice. Pinpoint macrometastatic nodules developed only in all control mice. Micrometastatic nodule developed only in two of six mice treated with ATRA. However, nodule size and number, and lung wet weight were all reduced significantly. Metastasis were not seen in the mice treated with OCT or OCT + ATRA. This study demonstrated that inhibition of growth and pulmonary metastasis was induced by subcutaneous treatment with these drugs and suggest that both its differentiating and apoptotic inducing activities may be responsible for the antitumour effects. These drugs may be useful in the clinic as an adjunct for the treatment of canine osteosarcoma.     

Establishment and characterization of the growth and pulmonary metastasis of a highly lung metastasizing cell line from canine osteosarcoma in nude mice.

Highly lung metastasizing model of canine osteosarcoma in nude mice was established from five subcutaneous implantation cycles of lung tumor deposits. The selection of cells with increased metastatic properties from the parent POS canine osteosarcoma cell line recovered medium sized and polygonal Highly Metastasizing POS cells (HMPOS). The doubling time of HMPOS and POS in culture averaged 30 +/- 1.2 hr and 32 +/- 1.3 hr respectively, and their cell growth patterns in vitro were comparable to their in vivo growth patterns. HMPOS cells produced more tumor deposits (> 20 nodules, > 1 -mm in diameter) of various sizes with replacement of lung tissues at 12 weeks after implantation. POS cells produced fewer and smaller lung deposits (< 10 nodules, 1-mm in diameter). Tumor size and number of metastatic tumor deposits showed a regular association. HMPOS cells developed an osteoblastic type of cellular differentiation subcutaneously and in the lungs. HMPOS micrometastasis along the alveolar walls and blood vessels at 4 weeks averaged 6-7 small tumor locus. Each micrometastatic locus contained an average of 5-7 tumor cells, and developed a pleomorphic osteoblastic type of cellular differentiation. An average of 4 macrometastatic nodules could be seen at 6 weeks, composed of an average of 23 tumor cells, 10 nodules at 8 weeks, 12 nodules at 10 weeks and 20 nodules at 12 weeks. These model provides an opportunity for the evaluation of new treatments against canine lung metastatic osteosarcoma in a nude mice model.     

Effects of transplantation sites on tumour growth,pulmonary metastasis and ezrin expression of canine osteosarcoma cell lines in nude mice

To determine the influence of the transplantation site of canine osteosarcoma (OS) cell lines on tumour growth and pulmonary metastasis, three OS cell lines were transplanted into nude mice via subcutaneous (SC), intratibial (IT) or intravenous (IV) injection. IT‐xenografts exhibited greater potential for developing primary masses and pulmonary metastasis than SC‐xenografts. In IT and IV xenografts, lung micrometastases along with phosphorylated ezrin–radixin–moesin (p‐ERM) overexpression were found in mice xenografted with HMPOS and OOS cells after 1 week and metastasis was found with decreased p‐ERM expression at later time points. The expression of ezrin and p‐ERM in the primary tumours of IT‐xenografted mice was higher than those in SC‐xenografted mice with HMPOS and OOS cells. The results suggest that the orthotopic transplantation site plays an important role in the spontaneous metastasis of canine OS and that ezrin phosphorylation may be involved in the early metastatic mechanism of canine OS cells.     

Identification of matrix metalloproteinases in canine neoplastic tissue

OBJECTIVE: To identify matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) 2 and 9 in canine tumor tissue and to compare the amount of activity to that in unaffected stromal tissue. ANIMALS: 30 dogs with spontaneously developing, high-grade osteosarcoma. PROCEDURE: Tumor and nearby stromal tissue (muscle) were obtained at the time of surgery. Specimens were homogenized, and supernatants were assayed, using gelatin zymography. Human derived standards were run concurrently. Densitometry was done to obtain a semiquantitative arbitrary unit value for each specimen. The amount of activity in tumor tissue was compared with the amount in stromal tissue. RESULTS: Gelatinolytic bands were observed from the analysis of all tumor tissues and in most stromal tissues. These bands migrated in the same molecular weight area as the human MMP 2 and 9 standards. Gelatinolytic activity could be quenched by the addition of 50 mM EDTA and 1 microg of synthetic tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP) 2 per 100 ml. There was significantly more gelatinolytic activity in tumor tissue than in stromal tissue. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: MMP 2 and 9 are detectable in canine neoplastic tissue. Matrix metalloproteinases activity in tumor tissue is higher than in unaffected stromal tissue, indicating that canine MMP may be involved in the pathogenesis of tumor growth and metastasis.     

Effects of mithramycin on transplantable canine perianal gland carcinoma (CAC-9) in nude mice: biochemical, histomorphometric, and ultrastructural investigations

A serially transplantable perianal gland carcinoma (CAC-9) was developed in nude mice from a hypercalcemic dog that has been maintained through passage 20. Tumor doubling rate of CAC-9 was 3.1 +/- 0.4 days. Mithramycin (MMC) injected intraperitoneally (8 mg/kg) into nude mice bearing CAC-9 markedly decreased the tumor volume 2 weeks post-injection. MMC returned the elevated serum and urine calcium levels in mice with CAC-9 back to similar values as controls. The few remaining viable tumor cells after MMC were large and had numerous aggregations of intermediate filaments that displaced cytoplasmic organelles. Histomorphometric evaluation of lumbar vertebrae reveled no significant differences in bone resorption of nude mice bearing CAC-9 compared to saline-treated controls. This rapidly growing tumor line in nude mice associated with mild hypercalcemia will be a useful animal model to evaluate combinations of chemotherapy for cancer-associated hypercalcemia.     

Plasticity of cloned canine mammary spindle cell tumor, osteosarcoma and carcinoma cells

Female dogs are frequently affected by mammary tumors, both carcinomas and sarcomas. The mechanisms behind mammary-tumor formation and the high degree of heterogeneity are not understood. To provide insight into this issue, it is important to determine the properties of the cells forming the different types of tumors. One question is if individual neoplastic cells can give rise to phenotypically distinct tumor types, i.e., show plasticity. We studied 3 different tumors (a spindle-cell tumor, an osteosarcoma, and a carcinoma) and followed the change of lineage marker expression between the primary canine mammary tumors, the clones derived from the corresponding tumors and in tumors generated after inoculation of tumor clones into nude mice (n = 75). Inoculation of clones derived from the spindle-cell tumor gave rise to spindle-cell tumors in nude mice. Several of these contained bone tissue, a sign of plasticity. Clones derived from the osteosarcoma were negative for a panel of lineage markers but, when inoculated into nude mice, they were able to form bone, again a sign of plasticity. In contrast to the primary carcinoma, most of the clones derived thereof lacked keratin expression, but keratin expression was recovered in most of the tumors formed after inoculation of clones into nude mice. Moreover, tumors generated from the carcinoma clones, in contrast to the primary tumor, were positive for smooth-muscle-cell markers. Our results point to plasticity in canine mammary tumors, as shown both by morphologic criteria and by expression patterns for lineage specific markers.     

Results of hyperamplification of centrosomes in naturally developing tumors of dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate results of centrosome hyperamplification in naturally developing tumors of dogs. SAMPLE POPULATION: Tumor specimens from 9 dogs with tumors (rhabdomyosarcoma, osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, myxosarcoma, and mammary gland tumor) and 2 canine osteosarcoma cell lines. PROCEDURE: 3 antibodies for centrosome proteins (ie, anti-gamma-tubulin, anti-BRCA1, and anti-pericentrin) were used for immunohistochemical analysis. Double immunostaining for centrosomes was used to confirm the specificity of these antibodies for centrosomes. Mutational analysis of the canine p53 gene was carried out by polymerase chain reaction-single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis, and expression of canine MDM2 protein was evaluated by use of immunohistochemical analysis, using anti-MDM2 antibody. RESULTS: Immunohistochemical analysis of dog osteosarcoma cell lines with apparent aneuploidy revealed frequent hyperamplification of centrosomes in the osteosarcoma cell lines. Similar hyperamplified centrosomes were detected in the tumor tissues from all of the 9 tumors. The frequency of cells with hyperamplified centrosomes (3 to 20/cell) in each tumor tissue ranged from 9.50 to 48.1%, whereas centrosome hyperamplification was not observed in normal lymph nodes from these dogs. In 8 of the 9 tumors, mutation of p53 gene or overexpression of MDM2, or both, was detected. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Various types of naturally developing tumors in dogs often have hyperamplification of centrosomes associated with chromosome instability. Hyperamplification of centrosomes is a novel tumor marker for use in cytologic and histologic examinations of clinical specimens obtained from dogs.     

Critical diagnostic and cancer stem cell markers in neoplastic cells from canine primary and xenografted pulmonary adenocarcinoma

It is challenging to diagnose metastatic tumors whose cellular morphology is different from the primary. We characterized canine primary pulmonary adenocarcinoma (PAC) and its xenografted tumors by histological and immunohistochemical analyses for critical diagnostic and cancer stem cell (CSC) markers. To generate a tumor xenograft model, we subsequently transplanted the tissue pieces from the PAC into athymic nude mice. Immunohistochemical examination was performed for diagnostic (TTF-1, Napsin A, and SP-A) and CSC markers (CD44 and CD133). The use of CSC markers together with diagnostic markers can improve the detection and diagnosis of canine primary and metastatic adenocarcinomas.     

Effect of RA233 on metastasis in dogs with osteosarcomas

The influence of RA233, an inhibitor of platelet function, on the occurrence of metastasis in 18 dogs with osteosarcomas was evaluated. At least 24 hours before surgical removal of the primary tumor, dogs were given RA233 orally (20 mg/kg of body weight divided into 3 equal doses). Original sites of the osteosarcoma included humerus, 6 dogs; radius, 5 dogs; tibia, 3 dogs; femur, 2 dogs; maxilla, 1 dog; and mandible, 1 dog. Survival time for 13 dogs euthanatized for progression of neoplastic disease ranged from 3 months to 10 months, with a mean survival time of 5.5 months. Medication was discontinued in 1 dog because of possible adverse reaction. One dog died of disease unrelated to the tumor, and one dog was euthanatized after the surgery. Two dogs were tumor free 9 and 17 months after surgery. Seemingly, the metastasis potential was not diminished in dogs given 20 mg of RA233/kg/day.     

Effects of Mycobacterial Cell Wall‐DNA Complex (MCC), Alendronate and Pamidronate on Canine Osteosarcoma Cell Lines

Introduction:  MCC, a cell wall composition prepared from Mycobacterium phlei ., inhibits the proliferation and induces apoptosis in a wide range of tumor cells. Bisphosphonates have been reported to inhibit the proliferation of canine osteosarcoma cell lines. In this study, we have determined the activity of MCC alone and in combination with the bisphosphonates alendronate and pamidronate on canine osteosarcoma cell lines.
Methods:  Canine osteosarcoma cell lines D17 and D22 were incubated with different concentrations of MCC (0.01–100 μg/ml) and suboptimal concentrations of alendronate and pamidronate for 72 hours. Cellular proliferation was measured by MTT reduction. Nuclear DNA condensation was determined using with Hoescht 33258 staining, and apoptosis by flow cytometry using active‐caspase‐3/PE and anti‐cleaved‐PARP/FITC antibodies.
Results:  MCC inhibited the proliferation of both canine osteosarcoma D17 and D22 cell lines in a concentration‐dependent manner. The IC₅₀ for D17 cells was 3.9 μg/ml and for D22 cells 44.4 μg/ml. Cells incubated with 100 μg/ml MCC were positive for Hoescht staining, active caspase‐3 and cleaved PARP, indicative of cell death by apoptosis. The addition of alendronate or pamidronate was found to potentiate the apoptosis‐inducing activity of MCC. Maximal activity was observed when 5 μM alendronante or 10 μM pamidronate were used in combination with 100 μg/ml MCC.
Conclusion:  MCC inhibits the proliferation and induces apoptosis in canine osteosarcoma cell lines in vitro . This anticancer activity can be potentiated by the use of alendronate and pamidronate. These data support the development of MCC as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of canine osteosarcoma.     

番茄红素对壬基酚诱导小鼠脾损伤的保护作用及机制研究

探讨番茄红素(lycopene,LYC)对壬基酚(nonylphenol,NP)亚慢性中毒诱导小鼠脾损伤的保护作用及机制。将40只清洁级ICR小鼠随机分为对照组(CON)、中毒组(NPG)、番茄红素对照组(LCG)和番茄红素干预组(LNG)。对照组,每天8:30灌服玉米油0.1 mL,2 h后重复操作;中毒组,每天8:30灌服玉米油0.1 mL,2 h后灌服150 mg·kg^-1壬基酚溶液;番茄红素对照组,每天8:30灌服5 mg·kg^-1番茄红素,2 h后灌服0.1 mL玉米油;番茄红素干预组,每天8:30灌服5 mg·kg^-1番茄红素,2 h后灌服150 mg·kg^-1壬基酚溶液。各组连续进行相应灌胃处理30 d后,记录小鼠体重,颌下静脉采集血样,并对小鼠进行安乐死,剖解后采集小鼠脾称重,分析小鼠日均增重以及脾体系数的组间差异;检查血清中免疫细胞因子IL-2、IFN-γ和TNF-α的变化;检测脾氧化与抗氧化指标MDA、T-AOC、CAT、GSH-Px和SOD的差异变化;检测凋亡通路p53/Bcl-2各蛋白表达的差异。结果表明,与NPG相比,经过LYC干预后NP暴露小鼠日均增重显著升高(P<0.05),血清免疫细胞因子含量和脾抗氧化酶活性显著升高(P<0.05);LYC干预后小鼠脾凋亡通路关键分子Akt、p-Akt和Bcl-2蛋白表达水平显著升高(P<0.05),p53和Bax蛋白表达水平显著降低(P<0.05)。结果提示,LYC对NP诱导的小鼠脾损伤具有保护作用,这与LYC增强脾抗氧化能力,抑制脾细胞凋亡有关。     

番茄红素对壬基酚诱导小鼠脾损伤的保护作用及机制研究

探讨番茄红素(lycopene,LYC)对壬基酚(nonylphenol,NP)亚慢性中毒诱导小鼠脾损伤的保护作用及机制。将40只清洁级ICR小鼠随机分为对照组(CON)、中毒组(NPG)、番茄红素对照组(LCG)和番茄红素干预组(LNG)。对照组,每天8:30灌服玉米油0.1 mL,2 h后重复操作;中毒组,每天8:30灌服玉米油0.1 mL,2 h后灌服150 mg·kg^-1壬基酚溶液;番茄红素对照组,每天8:30灌服5 mg·kg^-1番茄红素,2 h后灌服0.1 mL玉米油;番茄红素干预组,每天8:30灌服5 mg·kg^-1番茄红素,2 h后灌服150 mg·kg^-1壬基酚溶液。各组连续进行相应灌胃处理30 d后,记录小鼠体重,颌下静脉采集血样,并对小鼠进行安乐死,剖解后采集小鼠脾称重,分析小鼠日均增重以及脾体系数的组间差异;检查血清中免疫细胞因子IL-2、IFN-γ和TNF-α的变化;检测脾氧化与抗氧化指标MDA、T-AOC、CAT、GSH-Px和SOD的差异变化;检测凋亡通路p53/Bcl-2各蛋白表达的差异。结果表明,与NPG相比,经过LYC干预后NP暴露小鼠日均增重显著升高(P<0.05),血清免疫细胞因子含量和脾抗氧化酶活性显著升高(P<0.05);LYC干预后小鼠脾凋亡通路关键分子Akt、p-Akt和Bcl-2蛋白表达水平显著升高(P<0.05),p53和Bax蛋白表达水平显著降低(P<0.05)。结果提示,LYC对NP诱导的小鼠脾损伤具有保护作用,这与LYC增强脾抗氧化能力,抑制脾细胞凋亡有关。     

Distribution and activity levels of matrix metalloproteinase 2 and 9 in canine and feline osteosarcoma

Overexpression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) has been associated with increased tumor aggressiveness and metastasis dissemination. We investigated whether the contrasting metastatic behavior of feline and canine osteosarcoma is related to levels and activities of MMP2 and MMP9. Zymography and immunohistochemistry were used to determine expression levels of MMP2 and MMP9 in canine and feline osteosarcoma. Using immunohistochemistry, increased MMP9 levels were identified in most canine osteosarcomas, whereas cat samples more often displayed moderate levels. High levels of pro-MMP9, pro-MMP2, and active MMP2 were detected by gelatin zymography in both species, with significantly higher values for active MMP2 in canine osteosarcoma. These findings indicate that MMP2 is probably involved in canine and feline osteosarcoma and their expression and activity could be associated with the different metastatic behavior of canine and feline osteosarcoma.     

Effects of treatment with growth hormone and somatostatin on efficacy of diammine [1,1-cyclobutane dicarboxylato (2-)-0,0']-(SP-4-2) in athymic rats with osteosarcoma

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of exogenous growth hormone or somatostatin on chemotherapeutic efficacy in athymic (nude) rats with osteosarcoma. ANIMALS: 66 female athymic rats. PROCEDURE: Osteosarcoma was induced at an intratibial site. Rats were randomly allotted to 6 treatment groups. Rats were treated with saline (0.9% NaCl) solution alone, platinum, diammine [1,1-cyclobutane dicaboxylato (2-)-0,0']-(SP-4-2) (CBDCA; ie, carboplatin) plus saline solution, somatostatin alone, somatostatin plus CBDCA, growth hormone alone, or growth hormone plus CBDCA. Variables measured included estimated WBC count and percentage of neutrophils, plasma concentration of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), body weight, tumor volume, weight of primary tumor, survival time, and distant metastasis at time of death. RESULTS: Tumors formed at the injection sites in all rats. Treatment with growth hormone increased, and treatment with somatostatin decreased, plasma IGF-I concentration. Treatment with growth hormone or somatostatin altered CBDCA efficacy, as determined by evaluation of mean and median survival times. Metastatic pulmonary disease developed in 63 of 64 rats. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The technique used here reliably induced local osteosarcomas and metastatic pulmonary disease. Treatment with growth hormone and CBDCA or somatostatin may improve chemotherapeutic efficacy without increasing toxic effects. IMPLICATIONS FOR HUMAN MEDICINE: Results reported here may be useful in the study of osteosarcoma in humans.