Pigs as Clinically Relevant Models for Synergizing Interventional Oncology and Immunotherapy

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Preclinical Research
• Surgical Validation

Background:

• Rodent cancer models have limitations in recapitulating human cancer characteristics and evaluating interventional tools.
• Pig models are established for surgical procedure validation and offer size advantages for imaging-guided interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the advantages and disadvantages of using pig models in interventional oncology.
• To highlight pig model characteristics suitable for investigating locoregional therapies.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on pig models in preclinical oncology research.
• Comparison of pig models with traditional rodent models for interventional oncology applications.
• Analysis of pig immunological features relevant to cancer research.

Main Results:

• Pig models' size facilitates evaluation of interventional tools using human imaging platforms (ultrasound, CT, MR).
• Pigs possess immunologic similarities to humans, potentially beneficial for immunotherapy studies.
• Novel cancer models in pigs are emerging, requiring further research into their immune system and malignancy.

Conclusions:

• Pig models present significant potential for interventional oncology research, particularly for locoregional therapies.
• Further investigation into pig immunology and cancer is crucial for maximizing their utility in oncology.
• Pig models offer a promising alternative for preclinical evaluation of cancer interventions.