An In Vivo Metastasis Model Using Genotype-Defined Tumor Organoids

Recent cancer genome analyses have identified frequently mutated genes that are responsible for the development and malignant progression of cancers, including colorectal cancer (CRC). We previously constructed mouse models that carried major driver mutations of CRC, namely Apc, Kras, Tgfbr2, Trp53, and Fbxw7, in combinations. Comprehensive histological analyses of the models showed a link between mutation combinations and malignant phenotypes, such as invasion, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and metastasis. The major cause of cancer-related death is metastasis, making it important to understand the mechanism underlying metastasis in order to develop novel therapeutic strategies. To this end, we have established intestinal tumor-derived organoids from different genotyped mice and generated liver metastasis models via transplantation of the organoids into the spleen. Through histological and imaging analyses of the transplantation models, we have determined that the combination of Apc, Kras, Tgfbr2, and Trp53 mutations promotes liver metastasis at a high incidence. We also demonstrated polyclonal metastasis of tumor cell clusters consisting of genetically and phenotypically distinct cells through our model analysis. These organoid transplantation models recapitulate human CRC metastasis, constituting a useful tool for basic and clinical cancer research as a preclinical model. We herein report the experimental protocols of the organoid culture and generation of metastasis models.