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Isolation and Characterization of a Spontaneous Lymphocytic Leukemia (L-76) in the Strain 2 Guinea Pig¹

Viral Immunotherapy Section, Laboratory of RNA Tumor Viruses, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland 20014 [D. L. K., J. E. D., W. B., J. W. P.], and Hebrew University of Israel, Rehovat Campus, P. O. B. 12, Rehovat, Israel [K. P.]

A partial characterization of a transplantable guinea pig leukemia (L-76) that arose spontaneously in a young female strain 2 animal is described. The leukemia appears to be histologically, pathologically, and karyologically similar to the L₂C lymphoblastic leukemia, which also arose spontaneously 24 years earlier. The presence of C3 receptor sites on the surface of the leukemia indicates it to be of B-cell origin. Although the L-76 leukemia originated in a strain 2 animal, it also produces a rapidly progressing, lymphoblastic leukemia in strain 13, Hartley, and strain 2 x strain 13 F₁ hybrid adult guinea pigs. An inoculation of 2 x 10⁵ blast cells obtained from peripheral blood induced a stem cell leukemia in the strain 2 host within 12 days, with white blood cell counts of 2 to 3 x 10⁵ cells/cu mm at expiration. Titration data indicated that as few as 10 cells injected s.c. were capable of transmitting a systemic disease, which reached a terminal phase by 40 days. Pathological examination indicated involvement of the entire hematopoletic system, with almost all organs infiltrated by massive concentrations of neoplastic lymphoblasts. Treatment of the leukemia with Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide), 100 mg/kg, provided a remission period that lasted 4 to 5 weeks with eventual relapse and death due to the leukemia. Treatment of leukemic guinea pigs with 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-(trans-4-methylcyclohexyl)-1-nitrosourea (MECCNU) alone or in combination with cyclophosphamide resulted in long-term survivors apparently "cured" of leukemia.

¹ This work was supported by Contract NO1-CP-53566 within the Virus Cancer Program of the National Cancer Institute.

² To whom requests for reprints should be addressed.

Received 1/30/78. Accepted 7/ 5/78.