Chromosome Studies of Virus-Induced Rabbit Papillomas and Derived Primary Carcinomas

Abstract

The chromosomes of 25 primary epidermal rabbit tumors, induced by the Shope virus, were studied in various stages of development from early benign papillomas to invasive carcinomas. Abnormalities of chromosome structure, including the presence of cytogenetically altered stemlines, were observed at all stages. The incidence and extent of such change increased with time and with the conversion to malignancy, usually being well advanced at the time of, or prior to, invasion. No consistent abnormalities were seen at any stage. Hence, the changes observed were probably not causally related to the initiation of the neoplasm, and their significance with respect to the subsequent development of malignancy remains obscure.