Cytogenetic and molecular correlates between rodent and human renal cell carcinoma

In man, RCC makes up the largest proportion of primary kidney cancers, comprising approximately 85% of renal tumors and accounting for approximately 2% of the cancer deaths each year (Richie and Skinner 1981). As shown in Table 2, there are many similarities between spontaneous rat RCC and human RCC. Therefore, rat RCC and the Eker rat model in particular appear to be well suited to investigations into the mechanisms by which this disease occurs. In addition, animal models such as the Eker rat may also be valuable as human surrogates for developing and testing new approaches for treatment of human renal cancer.