In vivo evaluation of epidermal growth factor and transforming growth factor beta 1 in mouse tumor models.

The influence of modulating circulating levels of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) on tumor growth was examined in a variety of mouse models. Removal of the EGF-rich submandibular gland from host mice failed to alter the growth of a variety of human tumor xenografts or a C3H mouse tumor. Infusion of EGF from Alzet minipumps raised circulating EGF levels. However, only the A549 human tumor xenograft showed any significant increase in growth in the presence of EGF infusion and this response was marginal. The growth of Wehi 3BD+ and A549 tumor lines in culture was inhibited by TGF-beta 1. The growth of these lines in vivo, however, was not significantly altered by the administration of TGF-beta 1 via a variety of routes.