Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 27, 2026
Enrichment and Characterization of the Tumor Immune and Non-immune Microenvironments in Established Subcutaneous Murine Tumors
Published on: June 7, 2018
Non-murine models to investigate tumor-immune interactions in head and neck cancer
Carlos Rossa1,2, Nisha J D'Silva3,4
1Department of Diagnosis and Surgery, UNESP-State University of Sao Paulo, School of Dentistry at Araraquara, Araraquara, SP, Brazil. c.rossa@unesp.br.
Abstract:
The immune response has important roles in the biology of solid tumors, including oncogenesis, tumor growth, invasion and metastasis, and response to treatment. Improved understanding of tumor-immune system interactions has provided promising therapeutic options that are based on the rescue and enhancement of the anti-tumoral host response. Immune-based treatments have been approved for clinical use in various types of cancer, including head and neck cancer (HNC); other strategies involving combination therapies are currently in development. These novel therapies were developed based on knowledge derived from in vitro, in silico, and in vivo pre-clinical studies. However, clinical trials seldom replicate the efficacy observed in pre-clinical animal studies. This lack of correlation between pre-clinical studies and clinical trials may be related to limitations of the models used; which highlights the relevance of considering immune-related aspects of different pre-clinical models. Murine models are the most frequently used pre-clinical models of HNC and are discussed elsewhere. Non-murine models have characteristics that offer unique opportunities for the study of HNC etiology, therapeutic strategies, and tumor-immune system interactions. The current review focuses on immune-related aspects of non-murine models, including dog, cat, pig, zebrafish, and frog, that could be used to investigate tumor-immune interactions in HNC.
Insights
Non-murine models offer unique insights into head and neck cancer (HNC) tumor-immune interactions. This review explores how these models can improve the translation of pre-clinical findings to clinical efficacy for HNC therapies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Comparative Medicine
Background:
- The immune system significantly influences solid tumor progression and treatment response.
- Immune-based therapies, including those for head and neck cancer (HNC), show promise but face challenges in clinical translation.
- Pre-clinical models are crucial for developing novel cancer therapies, yet often fail to predict clinical outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the immune-related aspects of non-murine pre-clinical models for head and neck cancer (HNC).
- To highlight the potential of non-murine models in studying tumor-immune interactions relevant to HNC.
- To address the limitations of current pre-clinical models in replicating clinical trial efficacy.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on non-murine models (dog, cat, pig, zebrafish, frog).
- Analysis of immune-related characteristics of these models.
- Evaluation of their suitability for studying HNC tumor-immune interactions.
Main Results:
- Non-murine models possess distinct immunological features that can offer unique advantages over traditional murine models.
- These models can provide valuable insights into HNC etiology, therapeutic strategies, and complex tumor-immune system dynamics.
- Specific non-murine species present opportunities for investigating aspects of HNC not fully captured by current research.
Conclusions:
- Non-murine models represent a valuable, underutilized resource for advancing HNC research.
- Further investigation into these models could bridge the gap between pre-clinical efficacy and clinical outcomes.
- Incorporating diverse non-murine models may enhance the development of more effective HNC immunotherapies.
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