Advances in Immunocompetent Mouse and Rat Models

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Genetics
• Animal Models

Background:

• Rodent models are vital for understanding breast cancer development, progression, and preclinical testing.
• Conventional genetically engineered mouse (GEM) models have limitations.
• Advancements are needed for more precise modeling.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the utility and challenges of conventional and advanced rodent breast cancer models.
• To discuss novel approaches like somatic GEM models, CRISPR-Cas9, and rat models.
• To highlight progress in modeling estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer.

Main Methods:

• Review of conventional and genetically engineered mouse (GEM) models.
• Discussion of somatic GEM models with temporospatial control via viral vectors.
• Introduction of in vivo CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology.
• Presentation of somatic rat models for breast cancer.

Main Results:

• Inducible and conditional GEM models offer improved control over oncogenes and tumor suppressors.
• Somatic GEM models enable temporospatial control of breast cancer development.
• CRISPR-Cas9 technology allows for precision editing of endogenous genes in vivo.
• Somatic rat models show promise for modeling estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer.

Conclusions:

• Advanced rodent models, including somatic GEM, CRISPR-Cas9, and rat models, enhance breast cancer research.
• These models provide greater precision and control in studying breast cancer.
• New models facilitate the study of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer, overcoming previous limitations.