Development of a rabbit pleural cancer model by using VX2 tumors
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Published on: September 12, 2019
Kelly A Kreuter1, Naglaa El-Abbadi, Alia Shbeeb
1Beckman Laser Institute, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA.
Abstract:
Primary and secondary pleural cancer remains an important clinical problem, with research progress limited by the lack of a suitable moderate- to large-sized (3 to 4 kg) animal model of pleural cancer. Many potential pleura-based imaging and treatment modalities cannot be investigated sufficiently by using currently available small murine animal models because their pleural space is not comparable to that of humans and therefore does not allow for the use of standard thoracoscopic techniques. Here we describe the development of a reproducible model of pleural malignancy in moderate-sized immunocompetent rabbits. Under thoracoscopic guidance, 9-15 x 10(6) VX2 carcinoma cells were inoculated into the plural space of 3 to 4 kg New Zealand white rabbits that had undergone gentle pleural abrasion. Malignant tumor involvement developed on the visceral and parietal pleural surfaces in an average of 2 to 4 wk. This novel pleural tumor model induction method likely will facilitate a broad range of investigations of pleural cancer diagnostics and therapeutics.
Insights
Researchers developed a new rabbit model for studying pleural cancer. This moderate-sized animal model allows for better investigation of diagnostic and treatment strategies for this challenging disease.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Veterinary Medicine
- Surgical Innovation
Background:
- Pleural cancer presents a significant clinical challenge, hindering research due to the absence of appropriate animal models.
- Existing small animal models lack the necessary pleural space size and anatomical relevance for human thoracoscopic techniques.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a reproducible, moderate-sized animal model for pleural cancer research.
- To overcome limitations of current models for investigating pleural cancer diagnostics and therapeutics.
Main Methods:
- Development of a pleural malignancy model in immunocompetent rabbits (3-4 kg).
- Inoculation of VX2 carcinoma cells (9-15 x 10^6) into the pleural space under thoracoscopic guidance after pleural abrasion.
- Utilized New Zealand white rabbits for model development.
Main Results:
- Successful induction of malignant tumor involvement on visceral and parietal pleural surfaces.
- Tumor development observed within an average of 2 to 4 weeks post-inoculation.
- Demonstrated reproducibility of the pleural tumor model.
Conclusions:
- The developed rabbit model provides a suitable platform for moderate- to large-sized animal studies of pleural cancer.
- This model facilitates advanced investigations into pleural cancer imaging and treatment modalities.
- Enables research using standard thoracoscopic techniques, previously not feasible in smaller models.
