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The chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane patient-derived xenograft (PDX) model
1Department of Translational Biomedicine and Neuroscience, University of Bari Medical School, Bari, Italy.
Insights
The chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) is a versatile model for studying tumor growth and drug efficacy. Its immunodeficient nature and ethical advantages facilitate research on patient-derived xenografts (PDX).
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- The chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) is an extraembryonic membrane crucial for embryonic development.
- It supports vital functions like respiration, ion transport, and homeostasis.
- The CAM model is widely adopted for studying angiogenesis, tumor biology, and drug responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the literature and present data on patient-derived xenografts (PDX) effects on the CAM.
- To highlight the CAM's utility as a model for preclinical cancer research.
Main Methods:
- Literature analysis and review of personal data.
- Utilizing the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) as an in vivo model.
- Transplantation of patient-derived xenografts (PDX) onto the CAM.
Main Results:
- The CAM model allows for the study of tumor growth and metastasis in an immunodeficient environment.
- Ethical considerations are simplified for experiments before embryonic day 14, supporting the 3Rs principle.
- The CAM's acceptance of xenografts enables the evaluation of patient-specific tumor responses.
Conclusions:
- The CAM is a valuable and reproducible model for investigating patient-derived xenografts (PDX).
- Its unique properties facilitate large-scale screenings of therapies, aligning with ethical research principles.
- Further research using the CAM model can advance personalized cancer treatment strategies.
Abstract:
The chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) CAM is an extraembryonic membrane generated by the fusion of the chorion with the vascularized allantoic membrane. It performs multiple functions during embryonic development, including respiration, calcium transport from the eggshell, acid-base homeostasis, and ion/water reabsorption from the allantoic fluid. The CAM is a widely used model for the study of angiogenesis, anti-angiogenesis, tumor growth, and metastasis as well as drug efficacy. Ethical approval is omitted if experiments are terminated at embryonic day 14 in most countries, facilitating screenings of pharmacological or physics-based therapies with high reproducibility at large scales supporting the 3Rs principle. Being naturally immunodeficient, the chick embryo accepts transplantation from various tissues and species without immune response. This review article is focused on the analysis of the literature and personal data concerning the effects of patient-derived xenografts (PDX) on the CAM.
