Establishment and characterization of allograft and xenograft cancer rodent models

Abstract

To evaluate the efficacy of newly synthesized therapies prior to clinical trials, valid and true cancer models should be used [1]. For modelling cancer in vivo, transplantation of rodent (allograft) and human cancer cells (xenograft) in immune-competent and immunedeficient mice, respectively is common [2]. The aim of this study was to develop and characterize breast cancer allograft and human ovarian xenograft cancer rodent models. The allograft model was established by injection of E0771 cells suspended in Matrigel, subcutaneously into the mammary fat pad of female C57BL/6 mice. For xenograft model, human OVCAR-3 cells suspended in Matrigel were injected subcutaneously into the hind flank of athymic nude female mice. Once a tumor was palpable, tumor growth was monitored 2–3 times a week using a digital caliper and the animals were euthanized once tumor volume of ≥300 mm3 was attained. Finally, haematoxylin and eosin staining of the tumors was conducted to confirm malignancy. For the E0771 derived allograft model (Fig. 1), tumors were detectable within a week post inoculation with a tumor take rate of 14/14 (100%). For OVCAR-3 derived xenograft model (Figure1B), tumors were detected approximately 5 weeks post inoculation with tumor take rate of 3/4 (75%). Histological analysis of both models revealed mitotic figures indicating that the tumors were actively proliferating and malignant. The rodent models of breast and ovarian cancer were successfully established and characterized and; can be used to evaluate novel clinical compounds and formulations