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Mouse Models of Cancer Study

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Mice have long served as models for studying human biology and pathology because of their phylogenetic and physiological similarity with humans. They are also easy to maintain and breed in the laboratory, and hence, many inbred strains are now available for research. Studies on mice have contributed immeasurably to our understanding of cancer biology.
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Updated: Jun 15, 2026

Ultrasound-Guided Orthotopic Implantation of Murine Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

Ultrasound-Guided Orthotopic Implantation of Murine Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma

Published on: November 19, 2019

Burrowing Behavior as Robust Parameter for Early Humane Endpoint Determination in Murine Models for Pancreatic

Jakob Brandstetter¹, Lisa Hoffmann¹, Ingo Koopmann¹

¹Rudolf-Zenker-Institute of Experimental Surgery, University Medical Center Rostock, 18057 Rostock, Germany.

Animals : an Open Access Journal From MDPI

|May 14, 2025

Summary

Identifying early humane endpoints in preclinical pancreatic cancer research is crucial for animal welfare. Burrowing behavior reliably predicts humane endpoints two days in advance across various models and treatments.

Keywords:

animal welfare early humane endpoint pancreatic cancer refinement

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Last Updated: Jun 15, 2026

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Published on: November 19, 2019

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Dynamic Contrast Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging of an Orthotopic Pancreatic Cancer Mouse Model

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Published on: April 18, 2015

Area of Science:

Oncology
Animal Welfare Science
Preclinical Research

Background:

Pancreatic cancer is a leading cause of cancer death with limited treatment options.
Refining animal experiments is essential for improving animal welfare in preclinical research.
Establishing early humane endpoint criteria is vital to prevent animal suffering.

Purpose of the Study:

To analyze the welfare of mice in various pancreatic cancer models.
To identify reliable indicators for early humane endpoint determination in preclinical studies.
To assess the predictive value of different welfare parameters for timely euthanasia.

Main Methods:

Monitored mouse welfare using body weight change, distress score, perianal temperature, burrowing behavior, nesting activity, and mouse grimace scale.
Assessed welfare before intervention, during tumor progression, and prior to humane endpoints.
Utilized receiver operating characteristic curve analysis to quantify parameter predictability.

Main Results:

Burrowing behavior was identified as a robust predictor of the humane endpoint.
This prediction was effective two days in advance.
The findings were consistent across diverse pancreatic cancer models and therapeutic interventions.

Conclusions:

Burrowing behavior is a valuable and reliable indicator for establishing humane endpoints in preclinical pancreatic cancer research.
Implementing burrowing behavior assessment can significantly improve animal welfare by enabling timely euthanasia.
This finding supports the refinement of animal experimental protocols in oncology research.