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An Exponential-Gompertzian Description of LoVo Cell Tumor Growth from in Vivo and in Vitro Data¹

Division of Radiotherapy and Oncology ULSS 28, 37045 Legnago [R. D., R. F.], and Division of Experimental Oncology B, Istituto Nazionale Tumori, 20133 Milano [A. I., G. P., C. S., M. T.], Italy

The data of nine monolayer cultures, 48 multicellular spheroids, and 19 s.c. xenografts of LoVo cells were fitted, on an individual basis, by exponential and Gompertzian equations, respectively. The mean growth parameters ₀ (initial growth rate) and ß (retardation factor) of the three experimental systems presented a strong linear correlation ₀ = 6.88 ß + 0.56, r = 0.9843. This implies that, at the particular tumor size of 155 µm in diameter (mean ± SD = 50-310 µm), the tumor growths described by Gompertzian curves (from spheroids as well as from s.c. xenografts) have the same growth rate as monolayer cultures. This occurrence strongly supports an exponetial-Gompertzian growth model, where an exponential monolayer-like phase changes to a Gompertzian growth, controlled by environmental conditions, when the tumor size has reached a critical value.

¹ Supported in part by Grant P.F.O. 86.00704.44 from C.N.R., Rome, Italy.

² To whom requests for reprints should be addressed, at Div. Rad/Oncologia ULSS 28, 37045 Legnago, Italy.

Received 12/16/88. Revised 4/18/89. Revised 8/ 1/89. Accepted 8/11/89.