The GC1415 cells (1 × 10
6
per mouse) suspended in
200 μl of PBS were injected subcutaneously into dor-sal region of 8-weeks old NOD SCID mice purchased
from Charles River Laboratories (Sulzfeld, Germany).
Handling of mice and all procedures were performed
under laminar flow conditions. In some experiments
tumour cells were preincubated with autologous TMV
(9 × 10
6
) for 2 or 24 h, washed and then injected. The
cells preincubated in the culture medium alone were
used as control. Mice (5 per group) were checked every
7 days and the tumour diameter was measured with a
caliper and its volume (v) was calculated according to
the formula: v = ab
2
/2 [19]. The tissues were examined
macroscopically for metastases in the spleen, liver, lung,
lymph nodes, kidney and then processed for histological
examination.