Protocol to establish a mouse model for hepatic metastasis of colorectal cancer

Hepatic metastasis is the leading cause of colorectal-cancer (CRC)-associated death. Here we describe an optimized protocol to establish a more clinically relevant mouse model of CRC metastasis. We detail steps for subcutaneous transplantation of luciferase-expressing CRC cells and subsequent orthotopic transplantation of subcutaneous tumor tissues. This mouse model allows CRC cells to form tumors within the intestinal tract and metastasize to the liver, thereby providing the approach to assess hepatic metastasis of CRC in vivo. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Zhang et al. (2021).¹.