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Updated: Sep 24, 2025
Orthotopic Implantation of Patient-Derived Cancer Cells in Mice Recapitulates Advanced Colorectal Cancer
Published on: February 10, 2023
Orthotopic Xenografts of Colorectal Cancer Stem Cells
Maria Laura De Angelis1, Federica Francescangeli1, Ann Zeuner1
1Department of Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
Abstract:
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are responsible for the initiation of primary tumors and for metastasis seeding at distant organs. Therefore, they represent crucial targets for the study and preclinical testing of new antimetastatic approaches. We recently generated a molecularly characterized biobank of colorectal CSCs, isolated from individual patients and cultured in serum-free medium as multicellular spheroids. Here, we describe in detail the generation of a metastatic model of colorectal cancer based on the orthotopic injection of CSCs into the cecum serosa of immunodeficient mice. Such a model represents an excellent experimental system to investigate the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in colorectal cancer metastasis, to analyze rare premetastatic elements such as circulating and disseminated tumor cells, and for the preclinical testing of new agents with potential antimetastatic activity.
Insights
This study details a new colorectal cancer metastasis model using patient-derived cancer stem cells (CSCs) in mice. This model aids in studying metastasis and testing anti-metastatic drugs.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cancer Biology
- Translational Research
Background:
- Cancer stem cells (CSCs) drive tumor initiation and metastasis.
- Targeting CSCs is crucial for developing effective antimetastatic therapies.
- A biobank of characterized colorectal CSCs was previously established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the generation of a novel orthotopic metastatic model for colorectal cancer.
- To establish a system for investigating colorectal cancer metastasis mechanisms.
- To provide a platform for preclinical testing of antimetastatic agents.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and culture of individual patient-derived colorectal CSCs in serum-free medium.
- Generation of multicellular spheroids from colorectal CSCs.
- Orthotopic injection of colorectal CSCs into the cecum serosa of immunodeficient mice.
Main Results:
- Successful generation of a reproducible colorectal cancer metastatic model.
- The model allows for the study of metastasis initiation and progression.
- The model facilitates analysis of circulating and disseminated tumor cells.
Conclusions:
- The described orthotopic CSC model is a valuable tool for colorectal cancer metastasis research.
- This model supports the investigation of CSC-driven metastatic processes.
- It serves as a robust platform for preclinical evaluation of novel antimetastatic strategies.
