Human tumor xenograft models for preclinical assessment of anticancer drug development

Abstract

Xenograft models of human cancer play an important role in the screening and evaluation of candidates for new anticancer agents. The models, which are derived from human tumor cell lines and are classified according to the transplant site, such as ectopic xenograft and orthotopic xenograft, are still utilized to evaluate therapeutic efficacy and toxicity. The metastasis model is modified for the evaluation and prediction of cancer progression. Recently, animal models are made from patient-derived tumor tissue. The patient-derived tumor xenograft models with physiological characters similar to those of patients have been established for personalized medicine. In the discovery of anticancer drugs, standard animal models save time and money and provide evidence to support clinical trials. The current strategy for using xenograft models as an informative tool is introduced.

Keywords: Anticancer drug development; In vivo; Mouse; Xenograft model.

Fig. 1.. Various xenograft models. (A) Ectopic xenograft model. The cancer cells were subcutaneously injected into Balb/c nude mice. After approximately two weeks, the tumor was observed. (B) Orthotopic xenograft model. Human non-small cell lung cancer cells (A549 cells) were injected into the thoracic cavity of Balb/c nude mice. Tumor was observed by in vivo optical imaging. Isolated lung tissue was stained and observed by microscopy. (C) Metastasis model. Luciferase-expressing cancer cells were injected into the tail vein. Tumor was observed by in vivo optical imaging. (D) Patient-derived tumor xenograft model. Patient-derived tumor tissues were transplanted into the SCID mouse.