Current review of in vivo GBM rodent models: emphasis on the CNS-1 tumour model

Abstract

GBM (glioblastoma multiforme) is a highly aggressive brain tumour with very poor prognosis despite multi-modalities of treatment. Furthermore, recent failure of targeted therapy for these tumours highlights the need of appropriate rodent models for preclinical studies. In this review, we highlight the most commonly used rodent models (U251, U86, GL261, C6, 9L and CNS-1) with a focus on the pathological and genetic similarities to the human disease. We end with a comprehensive review of the CNS-1 rodent model.

Figure 1. Characteristics of the CNS-1 rat glioma model

(a) MRI of the original tumour in which the CNS-1 tumour cell line was derived. (b) T1-weighted MRI of 1×10⁵ CNS-1 cells in Lewis rat on day 15. Tumour is highlighted in green. To the right is a 3D reconstruction of the tumour using Mimics Software (Materialise, Leuven, Belgium) by summing the number of voxels that exceeded the intensity threshold in each plane on the T1-weighted subtraction images and multiplying by the appropriate spatial scaling factor (0.35 mm×0.35 mm×1.00 mm per voxel). (c) GFAP staining of the first cell line of CNS-1. (d) An H/E staining of infiltrating tumour cells into normal parenchyma of a Lewis rat brain (scale bar indicates 100 μm).