Strain Code 01S85 [SENCAR A/PtCr]
Origin and Characteristics
The acronym SENCAR is derived from SENsitivity to CARcinogenesis. SENCAR mice are
commonly used for studies of susceptibility and resistance to the induction of skin
tumors. Dr. Michael Potter of the National Cancer Institute developed three inbred
lines, designated A, B, and C, from random breeding of outbred SENCAR mice. Characterization
of these mice for sensitivity to skin tumor development indicated that mice of all
three inbred strains displayed increased sensitivity to initiation by 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene
(DMBA), urethane, or N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) and promotion by
12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). Promotion by mezerein as well as carcinogenesis
by repeated treatment with DMBA or MNNG produced papillomas with a high frequency
of conversion to squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs). Compared with outbred SENCAR mice,
development of both squamous papillomas and carcinomas was increased at least two-fold
by all protocols tested. NCI received these mice in 1989.