Testicular invasion and relapse and meningeal involvement in a rat T-cell leukaemia

Abstract

Summary During the haematogenous dissemination of this acute rat T-cell (Roser) leukaemia, infiltration of both epididymal and testicular interstitial tissue has now been demonstrated, probably as an invariable occurrence. The gonadal duct system itself was not invaded. In contrast to an earlier histopathological study with this leukaemia, meningeal invasion has also been encountered during routine passage. Furthermore, subsequent to remissions induced by carmustine (BCNU), relapse could occur as long as 80 days after the 20 day end point in control animals. This was associated with extensive infiltration of the meninges as well as in the male gonadal interstitium, the proximal epididymis being particularly vulnerable. Two doses of carmustine at intervals of one week could eradicate the disease even during the phase of logarithmic growth of the leukaemic cells, this result depending upon the level of treatment and time of dosing post-inoculation with leukaemic cells. Females carrying the disease were shown to be more readily cured than males, probably related to entry of leukaemia cells into the gonadal interstitium.This T-cell leukaemia appears to be an excellent model for the study and prospective chemotherapy of testicular relapse in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

A rodent model for testicular involvement in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

“…The present observations on perivascular leukaemic infiltrates in the testis after intraperitoneal inoculation of leukaemic cells from the rats bearing the Roser rat leukaemia confirm the previous observations (Jackson et al, 1984a). However, we have extended these experiments and recorded the frequencies of testicular infiltration and the age-dependent differences.…”

“…In the present experiment the cell line was maintained by intraperitoneal passages every 17th day as previously described (Jackson et al, 1984a). When the leukaemic rats approached the terminal phase (characterised by continuous piloerection, weight loss, cervical lymph node enlargement) they were sacrificed by carbon dioxide.…”

Spread of malignant lymphoid cells into rat central nervous system with intact and disrupted blood–brain barrier

“…The T cell lymphoid malignancy was maintained in E'VG-rats by intraperitoneal cell passages every 15-1 7th day as previously described [23]. Suspensions of tumour cells were prepared from enlarged cervical lymph nodes from at least two near terminal leukaemic donor rats.…”

“…There are only a few experimental models of transplantable CNS leukaemia or lymphoma, which resemble the human disease. The model of T cell leukaemized lymphoma in PVG rats [14,241 has proved reproducible with similar meningeal infiltration to human CNS leukaemia [23]. In the present study, we have used this model to examine the effect of different routes of transplantation, i.e.…”

Induced leukemia and antineoplastic agent carmustine cause permanent changes in craniofacial growth of immature rats

“…According to Jackson et al. (8), Roser's leukemia is sensitive to the chemotherapeutic agent carmustine (BCNU).…”