A Tumor-admixture Model to Interrogate Immune Cell-dependent Tumorigenesis

Abstract

A rigorous determination of effector contributions of tumor-infiltrating immune cells is critical for identifying targetable molecular mechanisms for the development of novel cancer immunotherapies. A tumor/immune cell-admixture model is an advantageous strategy to study tumor immunology as the fundamental methodology is relatively straightforward, while also being adaptable to scale to address increasingly complex research queries. Ultimately, this method can provide robust experimental information to complement more traditional murine models of tumor immunology. Here, we describe a tumor/macrophage-admixture model using bone marrow-derived macrophages to investigate macrophage-dependent tumorigenesis. Additionally, we provide commentary on potential branch points for optimization with other immune cells, experimental techniques, and cancer types.

Keywords: Cancer; Immunology; Immunotherapy; Macrophage; Mouse models.

Figure 1.. Tumor-admixture model enhances tumor outgrowth.

Gross dissection of tumors from mice 16 days post-injection with Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) cells plus M2-polarized bone marrow–derived macrophages (BMDMs) (above) or LLC cells alone (below). Size differences represent variability of tumor size within each cohort. Please refer to Noe et al. (2021) for a more comprehensive analysis of tumor growth curves and endpoint tumor weight.