Fluorescent Orthotopic Mouse Model of Pancreatic Cancer

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Surgical Oncology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Pancreatic cancer has a poor prognosis with limited survival improvements.
• Understanding the tumor microenvironment is crucial for developing effective treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a murine orthotopic model for pancreatic cancer.
• To enable non-invasive, real-time monitoring of tumor growth and metastasis.
• To facilitate the investigation of novel therapeutic strategies.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a murine orthotopic model injecting PANC-1 GFP cells in Matrigel HC into the pancreatic tail.
• Employed laparotomy for surgical implantation and in vivo fluorescence imaging for monitoring.
• Detailed the protocol for cell suspension preparation, surgical implantation, and imaging.

Main Results:

• The model allows for real-time, non-invasive monitoring of tumor progression and metastasis.
• The Matrigel HC creates a seal preventing cell leakage, ensuring model integrity.
• The protocol is replicable for researchers studying pancreatic cancer.

Conclusions:

• This orthotopic model provides a valuable tool for studying pancreatic cancer.
• It enables the assessment of therapeutic efficacy on primary and metastatic tumors.
• Facilitates advancements in pancreatic cancer research and treatment development.