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Updated: Aug 18, 2026
Intramucosal Inoculation of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells in Mice for Tumor Immune Profiling and Treatment Response Assessment
Published on: April 22, 2019
[Orthotopic murine model of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma]
R Cabanillas1, P Secades, J P Rodrigo
1Servicio de Otorrinolaringología, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Universidad de Oviedo, Instituto Universitario de Oncologia del Principado de Asturias, Oviedo. kainato@navegalia.com
Purpose:
To develop a reliable animal model able to reproduce the behavior of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). This model should facilitate our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of tumorigenicity and progression of these tumors, as well as the evaluation of novel therapies.
Material And Methods:
20 nude mice nu/nu were injected intraorally and submucosally with a cell line derived from a human squamous cell carcinoma of the glottis.
Results:
90% of the mice developed locally agressive squamous cell carcinomas, invading the surrounding muscle fibers and into loose connective tissue structures. All the tumors showed perineural growth. Four (22%) of the 18 mice showed bone destruction, and 22% vascular invasion. Tumor cells invaded lymphatic vessels in all the specimens, and 100% of the mice developed regional lymph node metastases. None of the animals developed haematogenous metastases.
Conclusions:
We present a metastasing model of HNSCC that resembles its human counterpart in many aspects.
