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Cocco E, de Stanchina E. Patient-Derived-Xenografts in Mice: A Preclinical Platform for Cancer Research. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2024; 14:a041381. [PMID: 37696659 PMCID: PMC11216185 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a041381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
The use of patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) has dramatically improved drug development programs. PDXs (1) reproduce the pathological features and the genomic profile of the parental tumors more precisely than other preclinical models, and (2) more faithfully predict therapy response. However, PDXs have limitations. These include the inability to completely capture tumor heterogeneity and the role of the immune system, the low engraftment efficiency of certain tumor types, and the consequences of the human-host interactions. Recently, the use of novel mouse strains and specialized engraftment techniques has enabled the generation of "humanized" PDXs, partially overcoming such limitations. Importantly, establishing, characterizing, and maintaining PDXs is costly and requires a significant regulatory, administrative, clinical, and laboratory infrastructure. In this review, we will retrace the historical milestones that led to the implementation of PDXs for cancer research, review the most recent innovations in the field, and discuss future avenues to tackle deficiencies that still exist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emiliano Cocco
- University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, Miami, Florida 33136, USA
| | - Elisa de Stanchina
- Antitumor Assessment Core Facility, Molecular Pharmacology Program, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10065, USA
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Phoon YP, Lopes JE, Pfannenstiel LW, Marcela Diaz-Montero C, Tian YF, Ernstoff MS, Funchain P, Ko JS, Winquist R, Losey HC, Melenhorst JJ, Gastman BR. Autologous human preclinical modeling of melanoma interpatient clinical responses to immunotherapeutics. J Immunother Cancer 2024; 12:e008066. [PMID: 38604813 PMCID: PMC11015209 DOI: 10.1136/jitc-2023-008066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite recent advances in immunotherapy, a substantial population of late-stage melanoma patients still fail to achieve sustained clinical benefit. Lack of translational preclinical models continues to be a major challenge in the field of immunotherapy; thus, more optimized translational models could strongly influence clinical trial development. To address this unmet need, we designed a preclinical model reflecting the heterogeneity in melanoma patients' clinical responses that can be used to evaluate novel immunotherapies and synergistic combinatorial treatment strategies. Using our all-autologous humanized melanoma mouse model, we examined the efficacy of a novel engineered interleukin 2 (IL-2)-based cytokine variant immunotherapy. METHODS To study immune responses and antitumor efficacy for human melanoma tumors, we developed an all-autologous humanized melanoma mouse model using clinically annotated, matched patient tumor cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). After inoculating immunodeficient NSG mice with patient tumors and an adoptive cell transfer of autologous PBMCs, mice were treated with anti-PD-1, a novel investigational engineered IL-2-based cytokine (nemvaleukin), or recombinant human IL-2 (rhIL-2). The pharmacodynamic effects and antitumor efficacy of these treatments were then evaluated. We used tumor cells and autologous PBMCs from patients with varying immunotherapy responses to both model the diversity of immunotherapy efficacy observed in the clinical setting and to recapitulate the heterogeneous nature of melanoma. RESULTS Our model exhibited long-term survival of engrafted human PBMCs without developing graft-versus-host disease. Administration of an anti-PD-1 or nemvaleukin elicited antitumor responses in our model that were patient-specific and were found to parallel clinical responsiveness to checkpoint inhibitors. An evaluation of nemvaleukin-treated mice demonstrated increased tumor-infiltrating CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, preferential expansion of non-regulatory T cell subsets in the spleen, and significant delays in tumor growth compared with vehicle-treated controls or mice treated with rhIL-2. CONCLUSIONS Our model reproduces differential effects of immunotherapy in melanoma patients, capturing the inherent heterogeneity in clinical responses. Taken together, these data demonstrate our model's translatability for novel immunotherapies in melanoma patients. The data are also supportive for the continued clinical investigation of nemvaleukin as a novel immunotherapeutic for the treatment of melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yee Peng Phoon
- Center for Immunotherapy and Precision Immuno-Oncology (CITI), Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | | | | | - Claudia Marcela Diaz-Montero
- Center for Immunotherapy and Precision Immuno-Oncology (CITI), Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Ye F Tian
- Department of Inflammation and Immunity, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | | | - Pauline Funchain
- Taussig Cancer Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | | | | | | | - Jan Joseph Melenhorst
- Center for Immunotherapy and Precision Immuno-Oncology (CITI), Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Brian R Gastman
- Center for Immunotherapy and Precision Immuno-Oncology (CITI), Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
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Ashraf H, Heydarnejad M, Kosari F. The Confounding Role of Graft-Versus-Host Disease in Animal Models of Cancer Immunotherapy: A Systematic Review. ARCHIVES OF IRANIAN MEDICINE 2024; 27:159-167. [PMID: 38685841 PMCID: PMC11097315 DOI: 10.34172/aim.2024.24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cancer immunotherapy has emerged as a transformative approach for treating various malignancies, including melanoma, lung cancer, breast cancer, and leukemia. Animal models have been instrumental in elucidating the mechanisms and potential of these therapies. However, graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) is an inherent challenge in these studies, primarily because the introduction of foreign immune cells or tissues often triggers immune responses. METHODS A detailed systematic search was conducted across various scientific databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science. The search aimed to identify peer-reviewed articles published in English from January 2000 to September 2023. Keywords and phrases used in the search included "Graft-versus-Host Disease", "GVHD", "animal models", "cancer immunotherapy", and combinations thereof. Boolean operators (AND/OR) were employed to refine the search. Finally, 6 articles were included in this systematic review, which is registered on PROSPERO (ID number CRD42024488544). RESULTS Our systematic review identified several mechanisms employed in animal studies to mitigate the confounding effects of GVHD. These included genetically modified mouse models, immunosuppressive drugs, and humanized mice. Furthermore, the review highlights innovative approaches such as selective T-cell depletion and the use of specific cytokine inhibitors. CONCLUSION By systematically identifying and mitigating the confounding effects of GVHD, we can significantly improve the predictive validity of preclinical trials, obtain broadly applicable findings, improve the efficiency of drugs, enhance safety profiling, and develop better therapeutic strategies. This approach is crucial in ensuring that the immunotherapeutic strategies developed in the laboratory are reflective of the human physiological response, thereby bridging a critical translational gap in oncological research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hami Ashraf
- Digestive Disease Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Heydarnejad
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Farid Kosari
- Department of Pathology, Shariati Hospital, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Yang Y, Li J, Li D, Zhou W, Yan F, Wang W. Humanized mouse models: A valuable platform for preclinical evaluation of human cancer. Biotechnol Bioeng 2024; 121:835-852. [PMID: 38151887 DOI: 10.1002/bit.28618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
Animal models are routinely employed to assess the treatments for human cancer. However, due to significant differences in genetic backgrounds, traditional animal models are unable to meet bioresearch needs. To overcome this restriction, researchers have generated and optimized immunodeficient mice, and then engrafted human genes, cells, tissues, or organs in mice so that the responses in the model mice could provide a more reliable reference for treatments. As a bridge connecting clinical application and basic research, humanized mice are increasingly used in the preclinical evaluation of cancer treatments, particularly after gene interleukin 2 receptor gamma mutant mice were generated. Human cancer models established in humanized mice support exploration of the mechanism of cancer occurrence and provide an efficient platform for drug screening. However, it is undeniable that the further application of humanized mice still faces multiple challenges. This review summarizes the construction approaches for humanized mice and their existing limitations. We also report the latest applications of humanized mice in preclinical evaluation for the treatment of cancer and point out directions for future optimization of these models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuening Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiaqian Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Dan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Weilin Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Feiyang Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Wei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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Salu P, Reindl KM. Advancements in Preclinical Models of Pancreatic Cancer. Pancreas 2024; 53:e205-e220. [PMID: 38206758 PMCID: PMC10842038 DOI: 10.1097/mpa.0000000000002277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Pancreatic cancer remains one of the deadliest of all cancer types with a 5-year overall survival rate of just 12%. Preclinical models available for understanding the disease pathophysiology have evolved significantly in recent years. Traditionally, commercially available 2-dimensional cell lines were developed to investigate mechanisms underlying tumorigenesis, metastasis, and drug resistance. However, these cells grow as monolayer cultures that lack heterogeneity and do not effectively represent tumor biology. Developing patient-derived xenografts and genetically engineered mouse models led to increased cellular heterogeneity, molecular diversity, and tissues that histologically represent the original patient tumors. However, these models are relatively expensive and very timing consuming. More recently, the advancement of fast and inexpensive in vitro models that better mimic disease conditions in vivo are on the rise. Three-dimensional cultures like organoids and spheroids have gained popularity and are considered to recapitulate complex disease characteristics. In addition, computational genomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomic models are being developed to simulate pancreatic cancer progression and predict better treatment strategies. Herein, we review the challenges associated with pancreatic cancer research and available analytical models. We suggest that an integrated approach toward using these models may allow for developing new strategies for pancreatic cancer precision medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip Salu
- From the Department of Biological Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, ND
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Wu Y, Chen L, Feng C, Wang T, He S, Zheng D, Lin L. Antitumor effect of toosendanin on oral squamous cell carcinoma via suppression of p-STAT3. BMC Oral Health 2023; 23:846. [PMID: 37946196 PMCID: PMC10634166 DOI: 10.1186/s12903-023-03602-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Toosendanin (TSN) exhibits potent antitumor activity against various tumor cell lines. However, its efficacy against oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains unknown. Here, we investigated the effects of TSN on OSCC cells in vitro and verified them in vivo using a patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model. METHODS The effect of TSN on OSCC cells was investigated by cytotoxicity assays and flow cytometry. The expression of proteins was detected by western blotting. An OSCC PDX model was constructed to further investigate the role of TSN in regulating the function of OSCC. RESULTS The cell viability of CAL27 and HN6 cells decreased as the concentration of TSN increased within the experimental range. Compared with controls, TSN at lower doses inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis through S-phase cell cycle arrest. TSN inhibited OSCC cell proliferation by downregulating the STAT3 pathway through the inhibition of STAT3 phosphorylation. After successful construction of the OSCC PDX model with high pathological homology to the primary tumor and treatment with an intraperitoneal injection of TSN, we showed that TSN significantly reduced the tumor size of the PDX model mice without obvious toxicity. CONCLUSIONS Both in vitro and in vivo, TSN significantly inhibits the proliferation and promoted apoptosis of OSCC cells. Furthermore, TSN demonstrates potent inhibition of STAT3 phosphorylation, indicating its potential as a promising therapeutic agent for OSCC. Therefore, TSN holds great promise as a viable drug candidate for the treatment of OSCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Wu
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & Stomatological Key lab of Fujian College and University, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Lingling Chen
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & Stomatological Key lab of Fujian College and University, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Cheng Feng
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & Stomatological Key lab of Fujian College and University, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Tao Wang
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & Stomatological Key lab of Fujian College and University, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Shaohai He
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & Stomatological Key lab of Fujian College and University, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China
| | - Dali Zheng
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases & Stomatological Key lab of Fujian College and University, School and Hospital of Stomatology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China.
| | - Lisong Lin
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian Province, China.
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Luo W, Hoang H, Liao Y, Pan J, Ayello J, Cairo MS. A humanized orthotopic mouse model for preclinical evaluation of immunotherapy in Ewing sarcoma. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1277987. [PMID: 37868989 PMCID: PMC10587429 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1277987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The advent of novel cancer immunotherapy approaches is revolutionizing the treatment for cancer. Current small animal models for most cancers are syngeneic or genetically engineered mouse models or xenograft models based on immunodeficient mouse strains. These models have been limited in evaluating immunotherapy regimens due to the lack of functional human immune system. Development of animal models for bone cancer faces another challenge in the accessibility of tumor engraftment sites. Here, we describe a protocol to develop an orthotopic humanized mouse model for a bone and soft tissue sarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, by transplanting fresh human cord blood CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells into young NSG-SGM3 mice combined with subsequent Ewing sarcoma patient derived cell engraftment in the tibia of the humanized mice. We demonstrated early and robust reconstitution of human CD45+ leukocytes including T cells, B cells, natural killer cells and monocytes. Ewing sarcoma xenograft tumors successfully orthotopically engrafted in the humanized mice with minimal invasive procedures. We validated the translational utility of this orthotopic humanized model by evaluating the safety and efficacy of an immunotherapy antibody, magrolimab. Treatment with magrolimab induces CD47 blockade resulting in significantly decreased primary tumor growth, decreased lung metastasis and prolonged animal survival in the established humanized model. Furthermore, the humanized model recapitulated the dose dependent toxicity associated with the CD47 blockade as observed in patients in clinical trials. In conclusion, this orthotopic humanized mouse model of Ewing sarcoma represents an improved platform for evaluating immunotherapy in bone and soft tissue sarcoma, such as Ewing sarcoma. With careful design and optimization, this model is generalizable for other bone malignancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen Luo
- Department of Pediatrics, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, United States
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Microbiology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, United States
| | - Hai Hoang
- Department of Pediatrics, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, United States
| | - Yanling Liao
- Department of Pediatrics, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, United States
| | - Jian Pan
- Department of Pediatrics, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, United States
| | - Janet Ayello
- Department of Pediatrics, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, United States
| | - Mitchell S. Cairo
- Department of Pediatrics, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, United States
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Microbiology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, United States
- Department of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, United States
- Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, United States
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Yan C, Nebhan CA, Saleh N, Shattuck-Brandt R, Chen SC, Ayers GD, Weiss V, Richmond A, Vilgelm AE. Generation of Orthotopic Patient-Derived Xenografts in Humanized Mice for Evaluation of Emerging Targeted Therapies and Immunotherapy Combinations for Melanoma. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3695. [PMID: 37509357 PMCID: PMC10377652 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15143695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Current methodologies for developing PDX in humanized mice in preclinical trials with immune-based therapies are limited by GVHD. Here, we compared two approaches for establishing PDX tumors in humanized mice: (1) PDX are first established in immune-deficient mice; or (2) PDX are initially established in humanized mice; then established PDX are transplanted to a larger cohort of humanized mice for preclinical trials. With the first approach, there was rapid wasting of PDX-bearing humanized mice with high levels of activated T cells in the circulation and organs, indicating immune-mediated toxicity. In contrast, with the second approach, toxicity was less of an issue and long-term human melanoma tumor growth and maintenance of human chimerism was achieved. Preclinical trials from the second approach revealed that rigosertib, but not anti-PD-1, increased CD8/CD4 T cell ratios in spleen and blood and inhibited PDX tumor growth. Resistance to anti-PD-1 was associated with PDX tumors established from tumors with limited CD8+ T cell content. Our findings suggest that it is essential to carefully manage immune editing by first establishing PDX tumors in humanized mice before expanding PDX tumors into a larger cohort of humanized mice to evaluate therapy response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi Yan
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; (C.Y.); (N.S.); (R.S.-B.)
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Nashville, TN 37232, USA;
| | - Caroline A. Nebhan
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Nashville, TN 37232, USA;
- Division of Hematology & Oncology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Nabil Saleh
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; (C.Y.); (N.S.); (R.S.-B.)
| | - Rebecca Shattuck-Brandt
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; (C.Y.); (N.S.); (R.S.-B.)
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Nashville, TN 37232, USA;
| | - Sheau-Chiann Chen
- Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; (S.-C.C.); (G.D.A.)
| | - Gregory D. Ayers
- Department of Biostatistics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; (S.-C.C.); (G.D.A.)
| | - Vivian Weiss
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA;
| | - Ann Richmond
- Department of Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA; (C.Y.); (N.S.); (R.S.-B.)
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Nashville, TN 37232, USA;
| | - Anna E. Vilgelm
- Department of Pathology, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
- Pelotonia Institute for Immuno-Oncology, The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center—Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
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Neto Í, Rocha J, Gaspar MM, Reis CP. Experimental Murine Models for Colorectal Cancer Research. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:2570. [PMID: 37174036 PMCID: PMC10177088 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15092570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most prevalent malignancy worldwide and in both sexes. Numerous animal models for CRC have been established to study its biology, namely carcinogen-induced models (CIMs) and genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs). CIMs are valuable for assessing colitis-related carcinogenesis and studying chemoprevention. On the other hand, CRC GEMMs have proven to be useful for evaluating the tumor microenvironment and systemic immune responses, which have contributed to the discovery of novel therapeutic approaches. Although metastatic disease can be induced by orthotopic injection of CRC cell lines, the resulting models are not representative of the full genetic diversity of the disease due to the limited number of cell lines suitable for this purpose. On the other hand, patient-derived xenografts (PDX) are the most reliable for preclinical drug development due to their ability to retain pathological and molecular characteristics. In this review, the authors discuss the various murine CRC models with a focus on their clinical relevance, benefits, and drawbacks. From all models discussed, murine CRC models will continue to be an important tool in advancing our understanding and treatment of this disease, but additional research is required to find a model that can correctly reflect the pathophysiology of CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Íris Neto
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal; (Í.N.); (J.R.)
| | - João Rocha
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal; (Í.N.); (J.R.)
| | - Maria Manuela Gaspar
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal; (Í.N.); (J.R.)
| | - Catarina P. Reis
- Research Institute for Medicines (iMed.ULisboa), Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal; (Í.N.); (J.R.)
- Instituto de Biofísica e Engenharia Biomédica (IBEB), Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande, 1749-016 Lisboa, Portugal
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