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A Comparison of Cell Proliferation Parameters in Solid and Ascites Ehrlich Tumors

Biophysics Department, Institute of Cancer Research, Belmont, Sutton, Surrey, England

Results of labeled mitoses and repeated labeling experiments are presented for the Ehrlich ascites tumor at 2, 6, and 10 days after implantation of 1.7 x 10⁶ cells, and for the solid Ehrlich tumor in the weight range 0.4–1.8 gm. Computer methods were used to fit curves to the experimental points.

In the ascitic form of the tumor all phases of the cell cycle increased with tumor age, and the DNA synthesis period was 48 hours in 10-day tumors. The rate of cell loss also increased in older tumors, but the growth fraction remained close to unity.

Solid Ehrlich tumors had a doubling time of about 10 days in the weight range investigated. They had a median cell cycle time of 17 hours and a growth fraction of 0.8; there was no evidence for cells with abnormally long synthesis times. The relatively slow growth of solid tumors was caused by a high rate of cell death.

A general method is outlined for calculating the rate of resorption of dead tissue from necrotic tumors. Solid Ehrlich tumors were about 60% necrotic, and the halving time for resorption of necrotic material was about 36 hours.

¹ Present address: Dept of Experimental Radiotherapy, M. D. Anderson Hospital, Texas Medical Center, Houston, Texas 77025.

Received 11/14/68. Accepted 3/27/68.