The effect of serial passage in immune-deprived mice on certain biological and biochemical parameters has been studied in a series of 6 human colorectal tumour xenografts. Histological integrity is maintained for up to 10 serial passages, together with production of epithelial mucins and carcinoembryonic antigen. Passaged tumours retain human lactate dehydrogenase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase isoenzyme patterns and a human chromosome constitution. The induction of a murine tumour has been identified in this system, and the importance of routine checks for the presence of human tissue during serial passage is stressed.