Growth of human schwannomas in the subrenal capsule of the nude mouse

To develop a reproducible in vivo model for the growth of human schwannomas we implanted tumor specimens from 14 different patients (13 acoustic neurinomas; 1 trigeminal schwannoma) into the subrenal capsule of 108 nude mice. In 11 experiments, the animals were implanted with only solid tumor from the surgical specimens. In two experiments, the tumor implants were made from solid tumors and cell clusters. In one experiment, the tumor implants were made from cell clusters alone. The size and neovascularization of these tumors were serially determined during a 1.5- to 3-month period. The percentages of tumors that survived or grew were 77.3% from solid tumors and 70% from cell clusters. Maximum tumor volume varied as did the time span to reach that volume. Tumor enlargement and stability correlated well with neovascularity; regressing tumor showed minimal or no neovascularity. Histological analysis of the implanted tumors showed spindle cells that are similar to the original tumor. Immunohistochemical staining for S100 demonstrated the Schwann cell nature of the implants. Analysis of genomic DNA from an acoustic neurinoma that had been implanted for 3 weeks was consistent with its human origin. There were no significant microscopic differences among groups receiving solid tumor implants or cell clusters. These studies suggest that implantation of human schwannomas into the subrenal capsule of the nude mouse is a reproducible method to study tumor growth that may be useful in testing potential therapeutic regimens or genetic modulation of schwannomas.