Effect of etoposide on experimental testicular teratoma in 129/SvJ mice

To study the effects of etoposide on experimental testicular teratoma in 129/SvJ mouse we analysed the tumour growth, differentiation, apoptosis and the localisation of mdr, P-glycoprotein (mdr(1)-Pgp). In this model the implanted gonadal ridges developed into testicular teratomas in 17 out of 56 implanted testes (30%) and in 14 out of 28 mice (50%). The tumour-bearing mice were treated with etoposide on 4 successive days either 4 weeks or 6 weeks after implantation, and killed 7 days after the last dose. The mice in the control groups did not receive etoposide. The teratomas consisted mainly of neural tissue. The etoposide-treated 4-week teratomas, but not the 6-week teratomas, were significantly smaller than those in the corresponding control groups. The density of apoptotic cells and the distribution of the mdr(1)-Pgp were not altered by etoposide. The decreased proportion of immature neuroectodermal tissue components was observed in all treated teratomas, converting the histology towards that of a mature teratoma. In addition, a low proportion of immature tissue components was frequently combined with a low density of apoptotic cells. In conclusion, etoposide decreased the immature tissue components of teratomas, while mature tissues remained unaffected. These results may have clinical relevance in man, since they confirm that postchemotherapy mature teratomas cannot be treated with chemotherapy. Despite benign histology, the human residual tumours have a significant malignant potential and require complete surgical excision and close surveillance.