Successful Autografting Research Articles

856 A Pilot Study of a Point-of-care Wound Bed Assay to Predict Graft Take

Abstract Introduction Deciding when to graft a burn wound is instrumental in acute reconstruction. A technology capable of predicting autograft success would help optimize timing of initial debridement and grafting. In prior work, members of our team developed a point-of-care proteinase assay capable of predicting delayed wound healing in chronic wounds. In the work reported here, we seek to quantify these proteolytic enzymes in acute burn wounds in an effort to ultimately determine whether a quantitative assessment of proteinase activity in a burn wound might predict successful healing of autograft. Methods Eight burn patients were taken to the operating room for autografting. Tissue samples were obtained from unique sites, as well as swabs of wounds pre- and post-excision. A point-of-care proteinase assay determined initial rates of fluorescence, which correlates with the amount of proteolytic enzyme activity. Autograft sites were assessed after two weeks, with ≥50% take considered successful and < 50% take deemed unsuccessful. Initial rates of fluorescence were compared. These groups were analyzed using two-sided student’s t tests, with p< 0.05 identified as significant. Results The pre-excision group initial rate was significantly higher than the post-excision group (p=0.0006). The tissue group initial rate was also significantly higher than the post-excision group (p = 0.0028). We also compared pre-excision initial rates of enzymatic activity between successful autografts (n=10, 18.34±20.90 RFU/min) and unsuccessful autografts (n=5, 4.32±4.62 RFU/min) with p = 0.169. Conclusions Multiple findings indicate the potential of this assay to differentiate burn wounds based on proteinase activity. Pre-excision tissue beds contained significantly higher rates of proteinase activity compared to excised and debrided tissue beds (p = 0.0006). This is consistent with burn wound morphology, as proteolytic enzymes function to debride damaged tissue and promote angiogenesis in acute wounds. Interestingly, initial rates of proteolytic enzymatic activity in pre-excised wounds of successful autografts trended towards significance compared to unsuccessful autografts (p = 0.169), suggesting that these proteolytic enzymes reflect an overall healthy wound bed, the presence of which could portend a heightened chance for autograft success. Applicability of Research to Practice This pilot study confirms the presence of proteinase activity in acute burn wounds utilizing a point-of-care test. Future work will investigate whether this test can assist physicians in predicting amenability of burn wounds to autografting.

Effect of osteochondral graft orientation in a biotribological test system

ABSTRACTAutologous osteochondral transplantation (AOT) utilizing autografts is a widely used technique for the treatment of small‐to‐medium cartilage defects occurring in knee and ankle joints. The application of viable cartilage and bone ensures proper integration, early weight bearing, as well as restoration of biomechanical and biotribological properties. However, alignment of the autografts onto the defect site remains a pivotal aspect of reinstating the properties of the joint toward successful autograft integration. This is the first study to perform tests with different orientations of osteochondral grafts in a cartilage‐on‐cartilage test system. The objective was to estimate if there are differences between aligned and 90°‐rotated grafts concerning molecular biological and biomechanical parameters. Tissue viability, assessed by XTT assay indicated lower metabolic activity in tested osteochondral grafts (aligned, p = 0.0148 and 90°‐rotated, p = 0.0760) in favor of a higher anabolic gene expression (aligned, p = 0.0030 and 90°‐rotated, 0.0027). Tissue structure was evaluated by Safranin O histology and microscopic images of the surface. Aligned and 90°‐rotated grafts revealed no apparent differences between proteoglycan content or cracks and fissures on the cartilage surface. Test medium analyzed after tribological tests for their sulfated glycosaminoglycan content revealed no differences (p = 0.3282). During the tests, both the friction coefficient and the relative displacement between the two cartilage surfaces were measured, with no significant difference in both parameters (COF, p = 0.2232 and relative displacement, p = 0.3185). From the methods we deployed, this study can infer that there are no differences between aligned and 90°‐rotated osteochondral grafts after tribological tests in the used ex vivo tissue model. © 2019 The Authors. Journal of Orthopaedic Research® Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of Orthopaedic Research Society. J Orthop Res

Pre-Operative Prediction of Skin Graft Take in Extensive Post Burn Raw Area by Mini Graft Test

Skin grafting is integral to burn wound management andis the only way of providing permanent wound closure of fullthickness burn and deep partial thickness burn that fails toheal within 3 weeks. Successful auto-grafting is the key topatient survival. With periodic change in the team of surgicaltrainees working in the burn unit, it was considered necessaryto develop a protocol for the skin grafting procedure. Implementationof this protocol was expected to yield uniformoutcome despite change in the operating team.Validation of this protocol was considered necessary toevaluate its efficacy. This study was carried out over a periodof 12 months from 2014 to 2015.

An analysis of surgical and anaesthetic factors affecting skin graft viability in patients admitted to a Burns Intensive Care Unit.

Objectives:Skin graft failure is a recognised complication in the treatment of major burns. Little research to date has analysed the impact of the complex physiological management of burns patients on the success of skin grafting. We analysed surgical and anaesthetic variables to identify factors contributing to graft failure.Methods:Inclusion criteria were admission to our Burns Intensive Care Unit (BICU) between January 2009 and October 2013 with a major burn. After exclusion for death before hospital discharge or prior skin graft at a different hospital, 35 patients remained and were divided into those with successful autografts (n=16) and those with a failed autograft (n=19). For the purposes of this study, we defined poor autograft viability as requiring at least one additional skin graft to the same site. Logistic regression of variables was performed using SPSS (Version 22.0 IBMTM).Results:Age, Sex, %Total Burn Surface Area or Belgian Outcome Burns Injury score did not significantly differ between groups. No differences were found in any surgical factor at logistic regression (graft site, harvest site, infection etc.). When all operations were analysed, the use of colloids was found to be significantly associated with graft failure (p=0.035, CI 95%) and this remained significant when only split thickness skin grafts (STSGs) and debridement operations were included (p=0.034, CI 95%). No differences were found in crystalloid use, intraoperative temperature, pre-operative haemoglobin and blood products or vasopressor use.Conclusions:This analysis highlights an independent association between colloids and graft failure which has not been previously documented.

Refractive changes after pterygium surgery

Abstract Purpose To study the relationship between pterygium size (extension, width) and corneal astigmatism in eyes with unilateral primary pterygium. To evaluate the effect of successful pterygium surgery on corneal topography Methods Computerized corneal topography was performed on 105 eyes with pterygium before and 3 months after successful excision and limbo‐conjunctival autograft surgery. Results The degree of corneal astigmatism significantly correlated with the extension of pterygium on the cornea. With‐the‐rule astigmatism was the more frecuently finding. Conclusion Corneal topographic changes caused by the pterygium are almost reversible after surgical treatment. Successful pterygium surgery significantly reduces topographic astigmatism, SRI, SAI, and corneal flattening. However, precise prediction of these refractive changes is not always accurate.

Peripheral blood stem cell mobilization by granulocyte colony-stimulating factor alone and engraftment kinetics following autologous transplantation in children and adolescents with solid tumor

In 56 pediatric and adolescent patients (median age 7 years, range 1-21) with various solid tumors, peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) were mobilized with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) alone, and the yields of PBSC and engraftment kinetics following autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (PBSCT) were evaluated retrospectively. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (10 microg/kg) was injected subcutaneously for mobilization when patients showed no influence of previous chemotherapy, and administration was continued for 5 days. The peaks of CD34+ cells and colony-forming units-granulocyte/macrophage in the blood were observed on days 4 through 6 of G-CSF administration in all patients. Peripheral blood stem cell harvest was commenced on day 5 of G-CSF treatment. Compared to the results in patients mobilized by chemotherapy plus G-CSF (N=18), the progenitor cell yields were lower in patients mobilized with G-CSF alone. However, there were no significant differences in WBC and ANC engraftment compared to the chemotherapy plus G-CSF mobilization group. Platelet recovery following autologous PBSCT was delayed in patients mobilized with G-CSF alone. The median time taken for ANC and platelet counts to reach 0.5 x 10(9) and 20 x 10(9)/l was 12 days (range: 9-28) and 15 days (8-55), respectively, in all patients who received PBSC mobilized by G-CSF alone. In summary, mobilization with G-CSF alone can mobilize sufficient CD34+ cells for successful autografting and sustained hematological reconstitution in pediatric and adolescent patients with solid tumors, and even in heavily pre-treated patients.

Debridement of burn wounds with a water jet surgical tool

A new instrument, the Versajet™ system, based on fluid jet technology has recently been advocated as an alternative to standard surgical excisional technique for burn wounds. In this paper we describe our experience with this tool, the technique employed as well as its clinical feasability for debriding partial thickness burn wounds. Seventeen patients were evaluated for clinical efficacy of debridement of their burn wounds using the Versajet™ system. Burn wound areas of between 0.5 and 5% total body surface (TBSA) involving the face, arm, hand, leg and foot underwent debridement using the Versajet™ system. The Versajet™ system was able to sufficiently debride superficial partial thickness and mid-dermal partial thickness wounds for subsequent placement of Biobrane. Deeper partial thickness wounds could be excised for successful autografting. The Versajet™ system demonstrated some particular advantage in the surgical treatment of superficial to mid-partial thickness burns in areas like the face, hand and foot which can often be difficult to reach and contour with conventional modalities.

Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Mobilization by G-CSF Alone and Engraftment Kinetics Following Autologous Transplantation in Children and Adolescents with Solid Tumor.

The purpose of this study was to examine the yield of PBSC, mobilized with G-CSF alone, and engraftment kinetics after autologous transplantation in pediatric cancer patients. In 55 patients (median age; 7 years, range 0–21) with various pediatric and adolescent solid tumors, PBSC were mobilized with G-CSF alone, and the yields of PBSC and engraftment following autologous PBSCT were evaluated retrospectively. Patients were categorized according to prior treatment; patients who had received less than 4 or 4 cycles of chemotherapy with/without local irradiation (Group 1: N= 21), patients who received more than 4 cycles of chemotherapy or 3 or more cycles of chemotherapy with extended irradiation (Group 2: N= 23), and patients who received high-dose chemotherapy with stem cell support (Group 3: N= 11). Ten microgram per kg of G-CSF was injected subcutaneously for mobilization when patients showed no influence of previous chemotherapy, and administration was continued for five days. The peaks of CD34+ cells and CFU-GM were observed on day 5 of G-CSF administration essentially in all patients. Aphereses were performed on days 5 and 6 of G-CSF treatment. Mobilization failure was observed in four patients in all groups. Compared with the results in patients mobilized by chemotherapy plus G-CSF (N=18), the progenitor cell yields were lower in those mobilized with G-CSF alone. However, there were no significant differences in WBC engraftment speed compared to the chemotherapy plus G-CSF mobilization group, although platelet recovery was delayed in patients with G-CSF alone, especially in patients in Group 3. The median time taken for ANC and platelet counts to reach 500 and 20K was 12 days (range 8–28) and 15 days (8–55), respectively, in all patients who were mobilized by G-CSF alone except for patients with progressive disease. In summary, mobilization with G-CSF alone can mobilize a sufficient number of CD34+ cells for successful autografting and sustained hematological reconstitution in pediatric patients with cancer, even in heavily pre-treated patients. Mobilization with G-CSF alone might offer some advantages, such as ease of determining a collection schedule without a daily determination of CD34+ cells in the blood, and the avoidance of neutropenic fever and additional transfusion.

Successful transplantation of peripheral blood stem cells mobilized by chemotherapy and a single dose of pegylated G-CSF in patients with multiple myeloma

Following induction therapy and 4 g/m(2) cyclophosphamide, a single dose of 12 mg polyethyleneglycol-conjugated G-CSF (pegfilgrastim; n=12) or daily doses of unconjugated G-CSF (8.5 mug/kg/day) (n=12) were administered to myeloma patients. Pegfilgrastim was associated with an earlier leukocyte recovery (12 vs 14 days) and peripheral blood CD34+ cell peak (12 vs 15 days). The peripheral blood CD34+ cell peak was lower in the pegfilgrastim group (78 vs 111/mul). Following high-dose melphalan (200 mg/m(2)) and autografting, leukocyte and platelet reconstitution was similar in both groups and stable blood counts were observed 100 days post transplant. In summary, a single dose of pegfilgrastim after chemotherapy is capable of mobilizing a sufficient number of CD34+ cells for successful autografting with early engraftment and sustained hematological reconstitution in patients with myeloma. These data provide the basis for randomized studies evaluating the optimal dose and time of pegfilgrastim as well as long-term outcome in larger cohorts of patients.

Randomized comparison of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor versus granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor plus intensive chemotherapy for peripheral blood stem cell mobilization and autologous transplantation in multiple myeloma

Autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation for multiple myeloma offers higher response rates and improved survival compared with conventional chemotherapy. However, successful autografting requires effective cytoreduction and rapid hematologic reconstitution. We conducted a prospective randomized clinical trial to assess the efficacy of 2 cycles of priming chemotherapy with either granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) or granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) for peripheral blood stem cell mobilization followed by autologous transplantation. The major study end points were the comparative utility of G-CSF versus GM-CSF, the percentage of patients achieving complete response after transplantation, and overall and progression-free survival. Priming chemotherapy included cyclophosphamide (4 g/m2), mitoxantrone (8 g/m2 every day for 2 days), and dexamethasone (20 mg/m2 every 12 hours for 2 days) followed by randomization to either G-CSF or GM-CSF daily until completion of leukapheresis. Conditioning for transplantation included cyclophosphamide (75 mg/kg every day for 2 days) plus total body irradiation (165 cGy twice daily for 3 days), and patients received maintenance immunotherapy with interferon alpha. Seventy-two patients were randomized, and 64 underwent autologous transplantation. The median age at transplantation was 52 years, and the median time from diagnosis to transplantation was 10 months; 58% of the patients had received >4 cycles of pretransplantation chemotherapy. The median number of CD34+ cells obtained after mobilization was 16.4 x 10(6)/kg in the G-CSF arm versus 12.8 x 10(6)/kg in the GM-CSF arm (P = .8). Neutrophil recovery was faster in the G-CSF group after both cycle 1 (median, 13 days with G-CSF and 16 days with GM-CSF; P < .01) and cycle 2 (median, 13 days versus 17 days in the 2 groups, respectively; P = .03). Although platelet recovery was similar after cycle 1, platelet recovery to >100000/microL was notably faster in the G-CSF group both after cycle 2 and after transplantation (P = .03). Response and overall and disease-free survival were similar in both cohorts. Overall, 23% of the patients achieved a complete response after priming chemotherapy, which improved to 33% after transplantation. An additional 47% attained a partial response after transplantation, for a total response rate of 80%. With a median follow-up of 2 years (range, 0.7-8 years), the overall survival was 88% (95% confidence interval [CI], 80%-96%) at 1 year and 65% (95% CI, 51%-79%) at 3 years. Progression-free survival was 73% (95% CI, 62%-84%) at 1 year and 40% (95% CI, 26%-54%) at 3 years. Relapse or progressive disease was the most common cause of death (25 [83%] of 30 deaths). We conclude that mobilization with chemotherapy plus G-CSF versus GM-CSF results in similar CD34+ progenitor collections, even in patients exposed to multiple cycles of alkylator-based chemotherapy. Earlier neutrophil and platelet recovery was seen with G-CSF priming. Two cycles of priming chemotherapy plus autologous transplantation yields survival rates similar to those in published reports, including those using tandem transplantation.

Reduction of disc space distraction after anterior lumbar interbody fusion with autologous iliac crest graft.

A retrospective review with long-term clinical and radiologic assessment was conducted. To assess the severity and reasons for the reduction of disc space distraction after successful autograft fusion of the lumbar spine and its clinical consequences. Anterior lumbar interbody fusion is an established treatment for lumbar disc degeneration. It is not firmly established whether the grafted level narrows after surgery, and if so, what the clinical consequences are. This study assessed 67 patients who underwent anterior lumbar interbody fusion at L4-L5 with autologous iliac crest graft. The disc space height and angle between L4 and L5 were serially measured. Times until fusion and the presence of symptoms before and after surgery and at the latest follow-up assessment were noted. The mean follow-up period was 14 years (range, 2.5-32 years). The fusion rate was 96% (64 of 67 patients), and the mean time to fusion was 9 months. In the group that had successful fusion, there was an initial increase in disc space distraction followed by a reduction in 55 patients (86%). The mean preoperative disc space height was 12.1 mm, which increased immediately after surgery to 16.2 mm, but had been reduced to 12.6 mm at the latest follow-up assessment. The reduction in distraction occurred within the first 3 months after surgery and was correlated with age, but not with recurrence of symptoms, the amount of initial distraction, or the gender of the individual. A similar trend was seen with L4-L5 segmental angulation. Reduction of disc space distraction after anterior lumbar interbody fusion using tricortical iliac crest bone graft is a common finding. Despite this, the fusion rate is high, and there is no association with symptom recurrence.

Autologous and allogeneic stem cell transplantation for chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Allogeneic and autologous stem cell transplantation (SCT) are increasingly considered for treatment of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). In order to assess the potential therapeutic value of SCT for CLL, the present article aims at answering the following crucial questions: (1) Is SCT a curative treatment? (2) Does SCT improve the prognosis of poor-risk CLL? (3) Do risk factors exist which are useful for defining prognostic groups in terms of feasibility and post-transplant outcome? The efficacy of auto-SCT relies exclusively on the cytotoxic therapy administered. To date, there is only limited hope that autotransplantation can cure the disease. Nevertheless, the results of the published series suggest that auto-SCT is capable of improving the prognosis of CLL with poor-risk features. Well defined favorable conditions for successful autografting are the status of the disease (CR or VGPR) and the number of lines of therapy (<2) before transplantation. The crucial anti-leukemic principle of allo-SCT consists in the immune-mediated GVL effects conferred with the graft. The GVL activity explains that allografting seems to be curative for at least a subset of patients. However, as long as allo-SCT in CLL is still associated with an excessively high treatment-related mortality, only selected patients with advanced poor-risk disease should be considered for allografting. The development of conditioning regimens with reduced intensity may allow extending the indications of allogeneic SCT for CLL in the near future.

Carbon dioxide laser ablation with immediate autografting in a full-thickness porcine burn model.

To compare the long-term clinical and histologic outcome of immediate autografting of full-thickness burn wounds ablated with a high-power continuous-wave CO2 laser to sharply débrided wounds in a porcine model. Continuous-wave CO2 lasers have performed poorly as tools for burn excision because the large amount of thermal damage to viable subeschar tissues precluded successful autografting. However, a new technique, in which a high-power laser is rapidly scanned over the eschar, results in eschar vaporization without significant damage to underlying viable tissues, allowing successful immediate autografting. Full-thickness paravertebral burn wounds measuring 36 cm2 were created on 11 farm swine. Wounds were ablated to adipose tissue 48 hours later using either a surgical blade or a 150-Watt continuous-wave CO2 laser deflected by an x-y galvanometric scanner that translated the beam over the tissue surface, removing 200 microm of tissue per scan. Both sites were immediately autografted and serially evaluated clinically and histologically for 180 days. The laser-treated sites were nearly bloodless. The mean residual thermal damage was 0.18+/-0.05 mm. The mean graft take was 96+/-11% in manual sites and 93+/-8% in laser sites. On postoperative day 7, the thickness of granulation tissue at the graft-wound bed interface was greater in laser-debrided sites. By postoperative day 180, the manual and laser sites were histologically identical. Vancouver scar assessment revealed no differences in scarring at postoperative day 180. Long-term scarring, based on Vancouver scar assessments and histologic evaluation, was equivalent at 6 months in laser-ablated and sharply excised sites. Should this technology become practical, the potential clinical implications include a reduction in surgical blood loss without sacrifice of immediate engraftment rates or long-term outcome.

Eduard albert and the beginning of human nerve grafting

BackgroundThe scientific achievements of the Austrian surgeon Eduard Albert in developing methods for peripheral nerve grafting are enumerated and evaluated.MethodsThe case history of Albert's first patient suffering from a sarcoma of the median nerve is presented in detail by using all original descriptions available in contemporary literature.ResultsThe tumor was resected, but half a year later the patient suffered from a local relapse. Again the tumor and a corresponding piece of the median nerve were excised and a bridge of normal nerve tissue assured continuity. At the site of the loss of substance, Albert transplanted a part of a tibial nerve, which originated from a freshly amputated lower leg of another patient. Therefore he seems to have carried out the first human allograft in 1876. Furthermore it has to be added, that Albert also carried out the first successful autograft by using the sciatic nerve of dogs in 1877 (crosstransplantation of parts of this nerve in the same animal).ConclusionsBy this historical investigation an authentic report about Eduard Albert's first (partially) successful attempts of nerve grafting in men (and animal) shall be presented.

Successful Autografts with Peripheral Blood Stem Cells for the Case with T-Cell Non-Hodgkin's Mediastinal Lymphoma

Successful Autografts with Peripheral Blood Stem Cells for the Case with T-Cell Non-Hodgkin's Mediastinal Lymphoma

DETECTION OF CANINE INTESTINAL ALLOGRAFT REJECTION BY IN VIVO ELECTROPHYSIOLOGIC MONITORING

The aim of this study was to evaluate the significance of in vivo measurements of electrophysiologic parameters for the detection of canine small bowel (SB) allograft rejection. In dogs of group I (n = 17) a heterotopic SB autotransplantation was performed. Dogs of group II (n = 8) received a heterotopic SB allograft in a fully mismatched donor-recipient combination. No immunosuppression was given. All grafts were monitored regularly by in vivo measurements of transepithelial potential differences (PDs) and by biopsies of the grafts. The overall technical failure rate was 36% caused by thrombosis at the vascular anastomosis in most cases. All successful autografts survived the experimental period and showed physiologic PD responses after stimulation by both a theophylline solution and a glucose solution. The successful allografts survived 5.5 +/- 0.2 days (mean +/- SEM); the transepithelial PDs showed normal responses at postoperative day 3, but showed decreased responses at day 5 (P less than 0.05) and reversed responses at day 6 (P less than 0.05). The diminished PD responses correlated well with the onset of histologic alterations characteristic of rejection. This study demonstrates that serial monitoring of transepithelial PD responses is a noninvasive method to detect acute SB allograft rejection.

The effect of immunosuppression on vascularised allografts. A preliminary report.

Five vascularised allografts of the knee joint were performed in dogs immunosuppressed with cyclosporin A and azathioprine. Three survived with normal function for 3 to 4 months after operation. One of the unsuccessful grafts had a failed vascular anastomosis, the other an inadequate blood level of cyclosporin A. All three successful grafts healed well. In two, bone scans, radiographs and biopsies were indistinguishable from successful autografts; in the third the blood supply to the graft failed despite patent anastomoses but the graft healed well with good function. All three grafts were rejected within 2 to 3 weeks of withdrawal of cyclosporin A and azathioprine. In non-immunosuppressed dogs, allografts of the knee, both vascularised and non-vascularised, were rejected within a few days of operation. In two non-vascularised allografts, administration of cyclosporin and azathioprine had no apparent effect on the rate of rejection of the graft.

TREATMENT OF CHRONIC ULCERATION OF THE LEGS WITH HUMAN AMNION

Chronic leg ulcers in fifteen patients were prepared for autografting with a dressing of cultured human amnion. In thirteen vascular responses filled the ulcer beds with granulation tissue. Four patients initially received more traditional therapy and their lesions altered little in gross appearance and were not regarded clinically to have produced a granulation-tissue response. Fourteen patients received autografts after 5 days of amnion application and eight of these grafts have remained intact for 2-10 months. The appearance of healthy granulation tissue after amnion application was associated with successful autografting.

A method for experimental induction of bronchogenic carcinoma in subcutaneously implanted bronchial autograft in dogs

A method for induction of carcinoma in subcutaneously implanted bronchial autografts in dogs is described. Four to 6 weeks after successful bronchial autografting, 30 to 90 mg. amounts of 3-MC or B(a)P suspended in sterile saline solution containing 1 percent CMC was injected into the lumen of the graft. The mucosal changes were followed histologically by excision of biopsy specimens and cytologically by needle aspiration biopsies. Three dogs developed squamous cell carcinomas invading deep into the submucosal area as early as 13 to 30 weeks after the first carcinogen treatment. The remaining eight experimental dogs showed various grades of squamous cell metaplasia with atypia within 30 weeks. Subsequently examined specimens revealed atypical metaplastic and proliferative changes further advanced than those seen in the initial biopsy specimens. The advantages of this method for a better understanding of the development of bronchogenic carcinomas are discussed.

Cancer induction in subcutaneously implanted bronchial autograft of a dog by 3-methylcholanthrene.

An experimental cancer induction in subcutaneously autoimplanted bronchial grafts in dogs was studied. After successful bronchial autografting, 3-methylcholanthrene or 3,4-benzo[a]pyrene suspended in sterile saline solution containing 1% carboxymethylcellulose was injected into the lumen. Twenty-eight weeks after this treatment, an invasive squamous cell carcinoma with concomitantly existing atypical squamous metaplasia was found in one dog by histological examination. Squamous cell metaplasia was also observed in two other dogs at 24th experimental week. Cytological examination revealed the findings corresponding to these epithelial changes. Remaining 15 dogs are still living and under observation.