The present invention provides a process for making an in vivo model of
human leukemia. The process includes the steps of: pre-conditioning an
immunodeficient rodent by administering to the rodent a sub-lethal dose
of irradiation and injecting the rodent with an effective
pre-conditioning amount of human fetal cord blood mononuclear cells;
maintaining the rodent for from about 5 to 10 days; and injecting the
rodent with an effective engrafting amount of primary human leukemia
cells. An in vivo and in vitro model of human leukemia are also provided.