Veterinary Management of Harderian Gland Tumors in Cancer Rainbow (crainbow) HER2-Positive Mice

A Cancer Rainbow mouse line that expresses 3 fluorescently labeled isoforms of the tumor-driver gene HER2 (HER2BOW) was developed recently for the study of tumorigenesis in the mammary gland. The expression of 1 of the 3 HER2 isoforms in HER2BOW mice is induced through the Cre/lox system. However, in addition to developing palpable mammary tumors, HER2BOW mice developed orbital tumors, specifically of the Harderian gland. Mice were euthanized, and histopathologic examination of the Harderian gland tumors was performed. Tumors were characterized by adenomatous hyperplasia to multinodular adenomas of the Harderian gland. Fluorescent imaging of the Harderian gland tissue confirmed the expression of HER2 in the tumors. Here we discuss monitoring and palliative approaches to allow attainment of humane experimental endpoints of mammary tumor growth in this mouse line. We describe a range of interventions, including close monitoring, topical palliative care, and surgical bilateral enucleation. Based on our data and previous reports in the literature, the overexpression of HER2 in Harderian gland tissue and subsequent tumor formation likely was driven by MMTV-Cre expression in the Harderian gland.