Intraperitoneal and subcutaneous tumor models for assessing anti-neoplastic agents in rodents

Evaluation of compounds for in vivo antineoplastic activity can be achieved in a variety of animal models. Two models commonly employed for these studies are the intraperitoneal challenge survival model and the subcutaneous tumor implant model. The challenge survival model involves intraperitoneal tumor inoculation, test compound treatment and monitoring for survival. This assay can be modulated for stringency by altering the treatment dose, route and schedule. The second model, subcutaneous tumor implants, is more strenuous as the test compound must cross physiologic barriers to reach the target tumor. Additionally, the subcutaneous model is more labor intensive to setup, monitor and evaluate.