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Methods to Study Metastasis in Genetically Modified Mice
Farhia Kabeer1, Levi J Beverly2, Guillaume Darrasse-Jèze3
1Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec H2W 1R7, Canada; Department of Medicine, Experimental Medicine Division, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec H3A 1A3, Canada;
Abstract:
Metastasis is often modeled by xenotransplantation of cell lines in immunodeficient mice. A wealth of information about tumor cell behavior in the new environment is obtained from these efforts. Yet by design, this approach is "tumor-centric," as it focuses on cell-autonomous determinants of human tumor dissemination in mouse tissues, in effect using the animal body as a sophisticated "Petri dish" providing nutrients and support for tumor growth. Transgenic or gene knockout mouse models of cancer allow the study of tumor spread as a systemic disease and offer a complimentary approach for studying the natural history of cancer. This introduction is aimed at describing the overall methodological approach to studying metastasis in genetically modified mice, with a particular focus on using animals with regulated expression of potent human oncogenes in the breast.
Insights
Genetically modified mouse models offer a complementary approach to xenotransplantation for studying cancer metastasis. These models enable the investigation of tumor spread as a systemic disease, providing insights into the natural history of cancer.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Genetics
- Animal Models
Background:
- Metastasis research often relies on xenotransplantation of cell lines in immunodeficient mice.
- This
- tumor-centric" approach focuses on cell-autonomous determinants of tumor dissemination.
- It uses the animal body as a
- sophisticated Petri dish" for tumor growth.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe methodological approaches for studying cancer metastasis in genetically modified mice.
- To highlight the utility of transgenic and gene knockout models.
- To focus on models with regulated expression of human oncogenes in breast cancer.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing transgenic and gene knockout mouse models of cancer.
- Studying tumor spread as a systemic disease.
- Employing animals with regulated expression of human oncogenes, particularly in breast cancer.
Main Results:
- Genetically modified mouse models provide a complementary approach to xenotransplantation.
- These models allow for the study of tumor spread as a systemic process.
- They offer insights into the natural history of cancer development and dissemination.
Conclusions:
- Genetically modified mouse models are valuable tools for understanding cancer metastasis.
- They offer a more holistic view of tumor spread compared to traditional xenotransplantation methods.
- These models are crucial for studying cancer as a systemic disease.
