Building a healthy mouse model ecosystem to interrogate cancer biology

Current views on in vivo models for breast cancer research and related drug development

INTRODUCTION

Animal models play a crucial role in breast cancer research, in particular mice and rats, who develop mammary tumors that closely resemble their human counterparts. These models allow the study of mechanisms behind breast carcinogenesis, as well as the efficacy and safety of new, and potentially more effective and advantageous therapeutic approaches. Understanding the advantages and disadvantages of each model is crucial to select the most appropriate one for the research purpose.

AREA COVERED

This review provides a concise overview of the animal models available for breast cancer research, discussing the advantages and disadvantages of each one for searching new and more effective approaches to treatments for this type of cancer.

EXPERT OPINION

Rodent models provide valuable information on the genetic alterations of the disease, the tumor microenvironment, and allow the evaluation of the efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents. However, in vivo models have limitations, and one of them is the fact that they do not fully mimic human diseases. Choosing the most suitable model for the study purpose is crucial for the development of new therapeutic agents that provide better care for breast cancer patients.

Synergistic modelling of human disease

Living model systems, ranging in complexity from bacterial culture to non-human primates, are a cornerstone in disease biology research. Despite their unquestionable usefulness, the disease modelling community remains acutely aware of the challenges and limitations of any individual model. To describe our collective predicament, we often (mis)use the quote by statistician George Box, ‘All models are wrong, but some are useful’.

Impactful in disease research: a DMM year in review

Summary: Editor-in-Chief Liz Patton reflects on the achievements of DMM and looks to the future of the journal.

Psychological suppressive profile and autoantibodies variability in women living with breast cancer: A prospective cross-sectional study

Breast cancer (BC) is a leading cause of women's morbimortality worldwide. Unfortunately, attempts to predict women's susceptibility to developing BC well before it becomes symptomatic, based on their genetic, family, and reproductive background have proved unsatisfactory. Here we analyze the matching of personality traits and protein serum profiles to predict women's susceptibility to developing cancer. We conducted a prospective study among 150 women (aged 18-70 years), who were distributed into three groups (n = 50): women without breast pathology and women diagnosed with BC or benign breast pathology. Psychological data were obtained through standardized psychological tests and serum protein samples were analyzed through semiquantitative protein immunoblotting. The matching for psychological and immunological profiles was constructed from these data using a mathematical generalized linear model.The model predicted that women who have stronger associations between high-intensity stress responses, emotional containment, and an increased number and reduced variability of serum proteins (detected by IgG autoantibodies) have the greatest susceptibility to develop BC before the disease has manifested clinically. Hence, the present study endorses the possibility of using psychological and biochemical tests in combination to increase the possibility of identifying women at risk of developing BC before the disease shows clinical manifestations. A longitudinal study must be instrumented to test the prediction ability of the instrument in real scenarios.

Trial registration

Committee of Ethical Research of the Hospital General de México "Dr. Eduardo Liceaga," Ministry of Health (DI/12/111/03/064).

Sharing resources to advance translational research

The publication of Resource articles is essential for the dissemination of novel, or substantially enhanced, tools, techniques, disease models, datasets and resources. By sharing knowledge and resources in a globally accessible manner, we can support human disease research to accelerate the translation of fundamental discoveries to effective treatments or diagnostics for diverse patient populations. To promote and encourage excellence in Resource articles, Disease Models & Mechanisms (DMM) is launching a new 'Outstanding Resource Paper Prize'. To celebrate this, we highlight recent outstanding DMM Resource articles that have the ultimate goal of benefitting of human health.

A new network for the synergistic translation of mouse research

Over the past 20 years, the UK has become a leading force in the generation and use of complex mouse models in the precise investigation of human disease. Nevertheless, there remains a great challenge in improving how research in animals is translated to clinical benefits. Developing and expanding connections between basic scientists and clinicians to ensure that animal models accurately recapitulate human disease will be key to this effort. This is the focus of the new UK Medical Research Council (MRC) National Mouse Genetics Network (https://nmgn.mrc.ukri.org/), which we believe will hugely impact our ability to harness recent advances in mouse genetics. The National Mouse Genetics Network is a major £22 million investment initially comprising seven challenge-led research clusters with members distributed across the UK. At its core, the Mary Lyon Centre at MRC Harwell will act as a repository for, and provider of, genetically altered mice, as well as generate and share data, training, specialist facilities and resources. Importantly, each cluster will integrate expertise in fundamental biology with clinical findings to better address pertinent research questions. Results from previous, smaller-scale, network initiatives suggest that this model can synergise research, but we believe that this structure will work better when carried out on a larger scale, with greater scope for collaboration and capacity of the system. This Editorial will outline the principal aims of the Network and identify the main areas in which this model will be able to exploit the power and synergy of its different elements.