Morphology of spontaneous brain tumors in the rat

Magnetic resonance imaging-guided intracranial resection of glioblastoma tumors in patient-derived orthotopic xenografts leads to clinically relevant tumor recurrence

BACKGROUND

Preclinical in vivo cancer models are essential tools for investigating tumor progression and response to treatment prior to clinical trials. Although treatment modalities are regularly assessed in mice upon tumor growth in vivo, surgical resection remains challenging, particularly in the orthotopic site. Here, we report a successful surgical resection of glioblastoma (GBM) in patient-derived orthotopic xenografts (PDOXs).

METHODS

We derived a cohort of 46 GBM PDOX models that faithfully recapitulate human disease in mice. We assessed the detection and quantification of intracranial tumors using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).To evaluate feasibility of surgical resection in PDOXs, we selected two models representing histopathological features of GBM tumors, including diffuse growth into the mouse brain. Surgical resection in the mouse brains was performed based on MRI-guided coordinates. Survival study followed by MRI and immunohistochemistry-based evaluation of recurrent tumors allowed for assessment of clinically relevant parameters.

RESULTS

We demonstrate the utility of MRI for the noninvasive assessment of in vivo tumor growth, preoperative programming of resection coordinates and follow-up of tumor recurrence. We report tumor detection by MRI in 90% of GBM PDOX models (36/40), of which 55% (22/40) can be reliably quantified during tumor growth. We show that a surgical resection protocol in mice carrying diffuse primary GBM tumors in the brain leads to clinically relevant outcomes. Similar to neurosurgery in patients, we achieved a near total to complete extent of tumor resection, and mice with resected tumors presented significantly increased survival. The remaining unresected GBM cells that invaded the normal mouse brain prior to surgery regrew tumors with similar histopathological features and tumor microenvironments to the primary tumors.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data positions GBM PDOXs developed in mouse brains as a valuable preclinical model for conducting therapeutic studies that involve surgical tumor resection. The high detectability of tumors by MRI across a substantial number of PDOX models in mice will allow for scalability of our approach toward specific tumor types for efficacy studies in precision medicine-oriented approaches. Additionally, these models hold promise for the development of enhanced image-guided surgery protocols.

Preclinical Models and Technologies in Glioblastoma Research: Evolution, Current State, and Future Avenues

Glioblastoma is the most common malignant primary central nervous system tumor and one of the most debilitating cancers. The prognosis of patients with glioblastoma remains poor, and the management of this tumor, both in its primary and recurrent forms, remains suboptimal. Despite the tremendous efforts that are being put forward by the research community to discover novel efficacious therapeutic agents and modalities, no major paradigm shifts have been established in the field in the last decade. However, this does not mirror the abundance of relevant findings and discoveries made in preclinical glioblastoma research. Hence, developing and utilizing appropriate preclinical models that faithfully recapitulate the characteristics and behavior of human glioblastoma is of utmost importance. Herein, we offer a holistic picture of the evolution of preclinical models of glioblastoma. We further elaborate on the commonly used in vitro and vivo models, delving into their development, favorable characteristics, shortcomings, and areas of potential improvement, which aids researchers in designing future experiments and utilizing the most suitable models. Additionally, this review explores progress in the fields of humanized and immunotolerant mouse models, genetically engineered animal models, 3D in vitro models, and microfluidics and highlights promising avenues for the future of preclinical glioblastoma research.

Malignant pinealoma observed in the deep cerebral parenchyma of a male Wistar rat

This report describes a case of spontaneous malignant pinealoma in a 90-week-old male Wistar rat. The tumor mass occurred in the deep cerebral parenchyma and no intact pineal gland was observed in the area between the posterior-dorsal median line of the cerebrum and the cerebellum. The tumor was characterized by a large nodular proliferation occupying the central area of the brain, extending from the dorsal surface to the base of the brain, corresponding to the thalamus. The tumor cells had round to irregular oblong nuclei approximately 5–17 μm in diameter and showed faintly or moderately eosinophilic cytoplasm and indistinct cell boundaries. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were positive for synaptophysin and partially positive for neuron-specific enolase (NSE). The tumor showed malignant features including cellular pleomorphism, high mitotic index, necrotic foci, and invasive and extensive growth and was, therefore, diagnosed as an extremely rare malignant pinealoma in the deep cerebral parenchyma.

Proliferative and nonproliferative lesions of the rat and mouse central and peripheral nervous systems

Harmonization of diagnostic nomenclature used in the pathology analysis of tissues from rodent toxicity studies will enhance the comparability and consistency of data sets from different laboratories worldwide. The INHAND Project (International Harmonization of Nomenclature and Diagnostic Criteria for Lesions in Rats and Mice) is a joint initiative of four major societies of toxicologic pathology to develop a globally recognized nomenclature for proliferative and nonproliferative lesions in rodents. This article recommends standardized terms for classifying changes observed in tissues of the mouse and rat central (CNS) and peripheral (PNS) nervous systems. Sources of material include academic, government, and industrial histopathology databases from around the world. Covered lesions include frequent, spontaneous, and aging-related changes as well as principal toxicant-induced findings. Common artifacts that might be confused with genuine lesions are also illustrated. The neural nomenclature presented in this document is also available electronically on the Internet at the goRENI website (http://www.goreni.org/).

In vivo models of primary brain tumors: pitfalls and perspectives

Animal modeling for primary brain tumors has undergone constant development over the last 60 years, and significant improvements have been made recently with the establishment of highly invasive glioblastoma models. In this review we discuss the advantages and pitfalls of model development, focusing on chemically induced models, various xenogeneic grafts of human cell lines, including stem cell–like cell lines and biopsy spheroids. We then discuss the development of numerous genetically engineered models available to study mechanisms of tumor initiation and progression. At present it is clear that none of the current animal models fully reflects human gliomas. Yet, the various model systems have provided important insight into specific mechanisms of tumor development. In particular, it is anticipated that a combined comprehensive knowledge of the various models currently available will provide important new knowledge on target identification and the validation and development of new therapeutic strategies.

Classification of Neural Tumors in Laboratory Rodents, Emphasizing the Rat

Neoplasms of the nervous system, whether spontaneous or induced, are infrequent in laboratory rodents and very rare in other laboratory animal species. The morphology of neural tumors depends on the intrinsic functions and properties of the cell type, the interactions between the neoplasm and surrounding normal tissue, and regressive changes. The incidence of neural neoplasms varies with sex, location, and age of tumor onset. Although the onset of spontaneous tumor development cannot be established in routine oncogenicity studies, calculations using the time of diagnosis (day of death) have revealed significant differences in tumor biology among different rat strains. In the central nervous system, granular cell tumors (a meningioma variant), followed by glial tumors, are the most common neoplasms in rats, whereas glial cell tumors are observed most frequently in mice. Central nervous system tumors usually affect the brain rather than the spinal cord. Other than adrenal gland pheochromocytomas, the most common neoplasms of the peripheral nervous system are schwannomas. Neural tumors may develop in the central nervous system and peripheral nervous system from other cell lineages (including extraneural elements like adipose tissue and lymphocytes), but such lesions are very rare in laboratory animals.

Proceedings of the 2009 National Toxicology Program Satellite Symposium

The National Toxicology Program (NTP) Satellite Symposium is a one-day meeting that is held in conjunction with the annual Society of Toxicologic Pathology (STP) meeting. The topic of the 2009 Symposium was "Tumor Pathology and INHAND (International Harmonization of Nomenclature and Diagnostic Criteria for Lesions in Rats and Mice) Nomenclature." The goal of this article is to provide summaries of each speaker's presentation, including the diagnostic or nomenclature issues that were presented, along with a few select images that were used for voting. The results of the voting process and interesting points of discussion that were raised during the presentation are also provided. A supplemental file with voting choices and voting results for each case presented at the symposium is available at http://tpx.sagepub.com/supplemental.

Neurogenic tumors in rats induced by ethylnitrosourea

Ethylnitrosourea (ENU) was injected intravenously into Sprague-Dawley rats on day 15 of gestation at doses of 0, 2.50, 6.25 and 10.00 mg/kg. The resulting 1980 progeny were observed for up to 24 months in a life-time study (900 rats) or for periods of 171-325 days in a serial sacrifice study (1080 rats). The rats in both studies were randomized into three groups, one exposed to a radiofrequency, one sham-exposed and one cage control. Since no effects of the radiofrequency were observed on the ENU-induced tumors, the exposure groups were combined to facilitate study of the tumors by dose rate over time. All rats were necropsied and major organs were examined histologically including the brain, entire spinal cord, trigeminal nerves and all tumors. A total of 48 spinal cord tumors (SCT), 251 spinal nerve tumors, 264 cranial nerve tumors and 1058 brain tumors were studied. The tumors were characterized by incidence, histologic type, volume, malignancy and multiplicity. Ethylnitrosouria, as given in this study, was determined to be an effective carcinogen reliably inducing (in order of frequency) brain, cranial nerve, spinal nerve and SCT. Dose of ENU correlated positively with the frequency, multiplicity, volume, malignancy, and negatively with latency of brain tumors and to a lesser extent with nerve tumors.

A 6-Month Study on the Toxicity of High Doses of Policosanol Orally Administered to Sprague-Dawley Rats

Policosanol is a cholesterol-lowering drug purified from sugar cane. Previous toxicological studies have not demonstrated any policosanol-related toxicity, even with long-term oral administration at 500 mg/kg, a dose 1,724 times larger than the maximal therapeutic dose (20 mg/day) recommended to date. The present study was undertaken to investigate the oral toxicity of policosanol administered for 6 months in doses up to 5,000 mg/kg to Sprague-Dawley rats. Animals were randomly distributed in five groups (15 animals per dose per sex): a control and four groups given oral policosanol (50, 500, 2,500, or 5,000 mg/kg). Eight treated rats (6 males, 2 females) died during the study, five of them (4 males, 1 female) from among those receiving the highest dose (5,000 mg/kg). According to necropsy, all deaths were related to gavage manipulation of higher doses. Although the differences were not significant, body weight gain and food consumption in the groups receiving 2,500 or 5,000 mg/kg tended to be lower than in the control group. Nevertheless, no drug-related toxicity symptoms were detected. Analysis of blood biochemistry, hematology, organ weight ratios, and histopathological findings did not show significant differences compared with controls, nor any tendency with the dose. Therefore, the present study did not show any new evidence of oral toxicity of policosanol, and the findings observed were a consequence of long-term administration by gastric gavage of the highly concentrated suspensions needed to reach the higher doses. It is concluded that policosanol chronically administered by the oral route is safe and that no drug-related toxicity was demonstrated.

Morphologic characterization of spontaneous nervous system tumors in mice and rats

Spontaneous rodent nervous system tumors, in comparison to those of man, are less well differentiated. Among the central nervous system (CNS) tumors, the "embryonic" forms (medulloblastoma, pineoblastoma) occur both in rodents and humans, whereas the human "adult" forms (gliomas, ependymomas, meningiomas) have fewer counterparts in rodents. In general, the incidence of spontaneous CNS tumors is higher in rats (>1%) than in mice (>0.001%). A characteristic rat CNS tumor is the granular cell tumor. Usually it is associated with the meninges, and most meningeal tumors in rats seem to be totally or at least partly composed of granular cells, which have eosinophilic granular cytoplasm, are periodic acid-Schiff reaction (PAS)-positive, and contain lysosomes. Such tumors are frequently found on the cerebellar surface or at the brain basis. Rat astrocytomas are diffuse, frequently multifocal, and they invade perivascular spaces and meninges. The neoplastic cells with round to oval nuclei and indistinct cytoplasm grow around preexisting neurons, producing satellitosis. In large tumors, there are necrotic areas surrounded by palisading cells. Extensive damage of brain tissue is associated with the presence of scavenger cells that react positively with histiocytic/macrophage markers. The neoplastic astrocytes do not stain positively for glial fibrillary acidic protein; they probably represent an immature phenotype. In contrast to neoplastic oligodendroglia, they bind the lectin RCA-1. Astrocytomas are frequently located in the brain stem, especially the basal ganglia. Rat oligodendroglial tumors are well circumscribed and frequently grow in the walls of brain ventricles. Their cells have water-clear cytoplasm and round, dark-staining nuclei. Atypical vascular endothelial proliferation occurs, especially at the tumor periphery. Occasionally in the oligodendrogliomas, primitive glial elements with large nuclei occur in the form of cell groups that form rows and circles. Primitive neuroectodermal tumors of rats, such as pineal tumors or medulloblastomas, appear to have features similar to those found in man. In mice, the meningeal tumors are mostly devoid of granular cells and the astrocytomas are similar to those occurring in rats, whereas spontaneous oligodendrogliomas are observed extremely rarely. Tumorlike lesions, such as lipomatous hamartomas or epidermoid cysts, are occasionally encountered in the mouse CNS. It is suggested that we classify rodent CNS lesions as "low grade" and "high grade" rather than as "benign" and "malignant." The size of CNS tumors is generally related to their malignancy. Tumors of the peripheral nervous system are schwannomas and neurofibromas or neurofibrosarcomas consisting of Schwann cells, fibroblasts, and perineural cells. Well-differentiated schwannomas are characterized by S-100 positivity and the presence of basement membrane. They show either Antoni A pattern with fusiform palisading cells or Antoni B pattern, which is sparsely cellular and has a clear matrix. The rat develops specific forms of schwannomas in the areas of the submandibular salivary gland, the external ear, the orbit, and the endocardium. Spontaneous ganglioneuromas occur in the rat adrenal medulla or thyroid gland. Compared to experimentally induced neoplasms, the spontaneous tumors of the rodent nervous system are poor and impractical models of human disease, although they may serve as general indicators of the carcinogenic potential of tested chemicals.

Spontaneous pinealoma in a male Crj:CD (SD) IGS rat

A pinealoma (benign) was found in a 61-week-old male Crj:CD (SD) IGS rat. The neoplasm was located between the cerebral hemispheres and the cerebellum. Histologically, the tumor cells consisted of two cell types: large, pale-staining cells and small dark-staining cells. A fibrovascular stroma divided the tumor cells into incomplete lobules or nest structures. Relatively numerous mitoses were noted in the tumor cells. Ultrastructurally, the tumor cells contained dense-cored vesicles, approximately 120 nm in diameter.

Spontaneous brain and spinal cord/nerve neoplasms in aged Sprague-Dawley rats

Primary malignant neoplasms of the brain and spinal cord occurred in 20/718 male (2.8%) and in 13/717 female (1.8%) Crl:CD Br strain Sprague-Dawley rats. Of 33 neoplasms, 30 were found in brain while 3 were in the spinal cord. In males and females, the most common brain neoplasm was astrocytoma (13 males, 9 females). Other neoplasms, granular cell tumor (1 male), mixed glioma (2 males, 1 female), reticulosis (1 male, 2 females), and oligodendroglioma (2 males), were especially uncommon. Spinal cord neoplasms included 2 schwannomas (1 male, 1 female) and an astrocytoma (1 male). The overall brain neoplasm incidence was similar for males (2.8%) compared to data compiled for this strain, and there was a 2-fold increase for females (1.8% vs 0.9%) compared to available incidence data.

Incidence of brain tumours in rats exposed to an aerosol of 239PuO2

Incidence of brain tumours was investigated in 3390 female and male Wistar rats exposed to an aerosol of 239PuO2, or as sham-exposed controls. Lung doses ranged from 0.05 to 22 Gy. In females, six brain tumours were found in 1058 control rats (incidence, 0.6%) and 24 brain tumours in 2134 rats exposed to Pu (incidence, 1.1%); the survival-adjusted level of significance was p = 0.29 for comparing control with exposed females. In males, two brain tumours were found in 60 control rats (incidence, 3.3%) and seven brain tumours in 138 rats exposed to Pu (incidence, 5.1%); the survival-adjusted level of significance was p = 0.33. Brain tumour incidence was about five times greater in male than in female rats (p = 0.0001), demonstrating a highly significant sex difference in brain tumour incidence. Tumour types were distributed similarly among control and Pu-exposed groups of both sexes; most tumours were astrocytomas. Mean lifespans for rats with brain tumours were not significantly different between control and Pu-exposed rats. Plutonium was not detected on autoradiograms of the brain. These results, like those for plutonium workers, show an increase of brain tumours which cannot be demonstrated statistically to be related to radiation exposure.

Granular cell brain tumors of the laboratory rat: an immunohistochemical approach

We have studied paraffin-embedded specimens of 17 rat granular cell brain tumors (GCBT) from four long-term drug safety carcinogenicity studies by peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) immunohistochemistry with either polyvalent or monoclonal antibodies against glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), S-100 protein (S-100), Leu-7 epitopes, vimentin (VIM), keratin, desmin, and myelin basic protein. We have found that 9 of the 17 GCBT contained GFAP-positive, S-100-positive, and VIM-positive astrocytes, while GFAP-positive and VIM-positive granular cells were observed in 5 of these 9 tumors. Our findings indicate that astroglial cells are involved in rat GCBT and suggest that an astrocytic origin should be considered for these neoplasms.

Characterization of N-nitrosourea-induced tumors of the nervous system; their prospective value for studies of neurocarcinogenesis and brain tumor therapy

Two decades of research with resorptive neurocarcinogens firmly established the high potency of methyl and ethylnitrosourea (MNU and ENU) as neurocarcinogens, particularly in rats. There are significant differences in susceptibility to these agents among species. There are also differences among age groups. Fetuses are between 50 to 100 times more susceptible than adult rats. One single iv inoculation of 20-50 mg/kg ENU into pregnant rats may produce neurogenic tumors in 100% of the offspring. The tumors produced by these compounds have been well characterized morphologically, biologically, biochemically and histochemically. Tumors produced by both compounds are mostly gliomas and neurinomas (Schwannomas), however, clear differences exist between ENU and MNU produced neoplasms. Transplacental exposure to ENU generally results in a high number of anaplastic neurinomas and mostly differentiated gliomas (astrocytomas, oligodendrogliomas or mixed gliomas). In contrast, multiple exposures of adult rats to MNU result in a moderate number of mostly differentiated neurinomas and a high number of anaplastic gliomas. Tumors usually start out as well differentiated oligodendrogliomas or astrocytomas. As they grow larger, they become more mixed and anaplastic. In contrast to spontaneous gliomas in old rats, MNU and ENU-induced astrocytomas can be readily identified with well established biomarkers such as the S100 protein and particularly GFAP (glial fibrillary acidic protein). Neurinomas are also strongly positive for S100 protein. No reliable markers exist for oligodendrogliomas. Neurogenic tumors induced by MNU or ENU, as well as derived cell lines and clones from such tumors, have been successfully used as models for neurocarcinogenesis and therapeutic screening.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Spontaneous tumours of the spinal cord in laboratory rats

Morphological features of four tumours of the spinal cord in two strains of rats (BDIX/Han and Han:SPRD) are described. Histological classification as ependymoma, glioblastoma (multiforme), astrocytoma and oligodendroglioma was made.

Spontaneous tumors of the meninges in rats

Histologic brain sections from 107 rats reported to have granular cell tumors or meningiomas in 2-year carcinogenicity studies conducted by the National Toxicology Program (NTP) or the National Cancer Institute (NCI) were reexamined microscopically. There were 62 rats with granular cell tumors, 26 with benign meningiomas, and 19 with meningeal sarcomas. Granular cell tumors were compatible with previous descriptions of this tumor. Meningeal sarcomas were subclassified into nine spindle cell sarcomas and ten fibrosarcomas. Among the rats with benign meningiomas, five were typical meningiomas (three fibroblastic meningiomas, and two meningothelial meningiomas) and 21 were meningothelial meningiomas containing cells with granules identical to those in granular cell tumors. There was a transition from epithelial-like cells of the meningothelial meningiomas to granular cells in these 21 cases. Based upon anatomic location, cytomorphologic similarities, and the occurrence of transitional or mixed forms of meningothelial meningiomas and granular cell tumors, it is suggested that these two tumors are related and may both originate from a common progenitor meningothelial arachnoid cell.

The brain-tumour issue in long-term toxicity studies in rats

Problems arise in the measurement of the neurocarcinogenic potential of chemical substances in chronic toxicity studies because of the spontaneous occurrence of neoplasms in the brain and other organs of rats from the age of about 2 yr. Statistical analysis may be equivocal and must be accompanied by a thorough biological analysis, to determine the presence or absence of the following characteristic effects of neurocarcinogenic agents: a reliable and consistent increase in brain-tumour incidence beyond the expected control level, a decrease in the age at which tumours appear and/or in survival, a dose-effect relationship, a greater effect on embryonal and foetal brain cells than on those of adults, a shift to more anaplastic types of tumour and the finding of preneoplastic lesions. These criteria have been met in chronic tests on the neurocarcinogens ethyl- and methylnitrosourea and some have been met in results obtained with the weak carcinogen methyl methanesulphonate. However, none of these criteria were met in the case of a test compound subjected to two 2-yr studies (one involving transplacental exposure), although brain tumours occurred in the controls and in all the experimental groups. The test substance is not considered to be a neurocarcinogenic agent.

Spontaneous brain tumours in Sprague-Dawley rats

Data were collected over a 5-yr period on brain tumours occurring spontaneously among Sprague-Dawley-derived rats in the HRC laboratories. Gliomas, like meningiomas, tended to occur more among males than in females, and in general appeared to be lesions of older rats. Astrocytic tumours of rats were less differentiated than those in man. The characteristic patterns of human glioblastoma multiforme were not observed in this series. Most of the astrocytomas were located in the cerebral areas. Secondary deposits observed in brain included those from tumours of Zymbal's gland, squamous-cell carcinoma, mammary adenocarcinoma, osteosarcoma and lymphoreticular neoplasms.

Chronic toxicity/carcinogenicity study of FD & C Blue No. 2 in rats

FD & C Blue No. 2 was fed to rats in the diet in a long-term toxicity/carcinogenicity study. The study included an in utero phase in which the compound was administered to groups of 60 male and 60 female Charles River CD albino rats at levels of 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0%. Two concurrent control groups, each containing 60 rats of each sex, received the basal diet. After random selection of the F1 animals, the long-term phase was initiated at the same dietary levels, with 70 rats of each sex in each dose group and in each of two control groups. Maximum exposure was 30 months. No consistent compound-related biologically adverse effects were noted. There were random statistically significant differences from the controls with respect to body weight, food consumption and clinical chemistry tests. Food consumption by the test groups showed a dose-related increase. This was probably due to the non-nutritive character of the colouring. A statistically significant increase in gliomas in the high-dose male rats was not found to be biologically significant, since none of the criteria for determining the neurocarcinogenic potential of chemical substances was met. The overall brain-tumour incidence in this study was within the range typical for 2-yr-old CD rats. Under the conditions of this study, FD & C Blue No. 2 did not produce evidence of any toxicity, including carcinogenicity.

The incidence of naturally-occurring primary brain tumours in the laboratory rat

Histological analysis of 90 spontaneous primary tumours of the brain observed among 8960 ageing rats (Sprague-Dawley-derived) revealed 55 granular-cell meningiomas, 19 neoplastic reticuloses, 11 neuroglial tumours, 4 pineal tumours, and one pleomorphic, meningeal sarcoma. Although all these tumour types can occur in man and other animal species, the high incidence of granular-cell tumours, and the low degree of differentiation of some neuroglial and pineal tumours, appear to be characteristic attributes of the rat.

Tumorigenic cell culture lines from a spontaneous VM/Dk murine astrocytoma (SMA)

One of the few spontaneous gliomas in inbred animals, the VM/Dk spontaneous murine astrocytoma (SMA), has seen limited use. Previously restricted to an in vivo system, the SMA was only transplantable intracerebrally (IC) using nonquantifiable suspensions of normal brain and tumor tissue. Prior attempts at establishing permanent tumorigenic SMA cell lines have not succeeded; tumorigenicity was lost during serial in vitro passage. We have established three different cell culture lines from a serially IC-transplanted SMA and two from tumors that arose from intraperitoneal (IP) injection of the IC-transplanted SMA. In contrast to previous cell cultures and transplantable lines of SMA, all five cell lines are not only tumorigenic IC but subcutaneously (SC) as well. Astrocytic feature are present in three of five lines to varying degrees, evidenced by in vitro and in vivo morphology, response to dibutyryl cyclic AMP (db-cAMP), and the presence of neuroglial fibers: None of the lines express CNPase, S-100, or GFA proteins in significant amounts. P560, highly tumorigenic and possessing the most astrocytic features of the five lines, extends the use of the spontaneous astrocytoma system of the inbred VM/Dk mouse strain by allowing quantitative in vivo and in vitro experiments.