The interaction mode of premalignant Schwann and immune effector cells during chemically induced carcinogenesis in the rat peripheral nervous system is strongly influenced by genetic background.

Contrary to rats of the highly sensitive inbred strain BDIX, BDIV rats are resistant to the induction of malignant schwannomas by N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea, arising predominantly in the trigeminal nerves. A point mutation of the neu/erbB-2 gene diagnostic of N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea-induced rat schwannomas is an early marker of Schwann precursor cells at high risk of subsequent malignant transformation. Neu-mutant cells initially arise at a similar frequency in sensitive and resistant animals.