Establishment of a primary human sarcoma model in athymic nude mice

Improvement of soft tissue sarcoma patient outcome requires well-characterized animal models in which to evaluate novel therapeutic options. Xenograft sarcoma models are frequently used, but commonly with established cell lines rather than with primary human sarcoma cells. The objective of the present study was to establish a reproducible xenograft model of primary human soft tissue sarcoma in athymic nude mice. Primary soft tissue sarcoma cells from four resected human sarcomas were isolated, cultured until the third passage and injected subcutaneously into athymic nude mice. The sarcoma xenograft was further analyzed by histological and immunohistochemical staining. In two out of four sarcomas tumor growth could successfully be established leading to solid tumors of up to 540 mm(3) volume. Histological and immunohistochemical staining confirmed the mouse xenograft as identical sarcoma compared with the original patient's tissue. In the present study a reproducible xenograft model of primary human soft tissue sarcoma in athymic nude mice was established. This animal model is of great interest for the study of sarcomogenesis and therapy.