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Updated: Jul 13, 2026
Intramucosal Inoculation of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells in Mice for Tumor Immune Profiling and Treatment Response Assessment
Published on: April 22, 2019
Immunocompetent murine model of cancer cachexia for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Trinitia Cannon1, Carol Shores, Xiaoying Yin
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, G0412 Neurosciences Hospital, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, CB 7070, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-7070, USA.
Background:
Muscle wasting and weight loss were observed when carcinomas were induced in a murine model of head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. Our hypothesis was C3H/HeN mice would develop evidence of cachexia when injected with tumor cells
Methods:
Age- and weight-matched female mice were injected with SCCF/VII cells. Daily food intake and weights were measured. Body composition and analysis of circulating cytokines was performed. At the completion of experiments, hind legs were weighed. Muscle atrophy was detected using analysis for muscle ring finger 1 (MuRF1). The tumor-derived lipid mobilizing factor (LMF) was measured.
Results:
Despite increased food intake, tumor-bearing mice lost weight and experienced reduced hind leg weights. Interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) was increased and MuRF1 was present in tumor-bearing mice but not controls. LMF was present in SCCF/VII cells.
Conclusion:
In this immunocompetent murine model, we demonstrated the development of cancer cachexia in mice inoculated with SCCF cells, which express LMF. There was increased serum IL-1beta, weight loss, and muscle wasting and atrophy in tumor-bearing mice.
