Anti-metastatic effects of liposomal gemcitabine in a human orthotopic LNCaP prostate cancer xenograft model

Fatal outcomes of prostate carcinoma (PCa) mostly result from metastatic spread rather than from primary tumor burden. Here, we monitored growth and metastatic spread of an orthotopic luciferase/GFP-expressing LNCaP PCa xenograft model in SCID mice by in vivo imaging and in vitro luciferase assay of tissues homogenates. Although the metastatic spread generally shows a significant correlation to primary tumor volumes, the susceptibility of various tissues to metastatic invasion was different in the number of affected animals as well as in absolute metastatic burden in the individual tissues. Using this xenograft model we showed that treatment with liposomal gemcitabine (GemLip) inhibited growth of the primary tumors (83.9 ± 6.4%; P = 0.009) as well as metastatic burden in lymph nodes (95.6 ± 24.0%; P = 0.047), lung (86.5 ± 10.5%; P = 0.015), kidney (88.4 ± 9.2%; P = 0.045) and stomach (79.5 ± 6.6%; P = 0.036) already at very low efficient concentrations (8 mg/kg) as compared to conventional gemcitabine (360 mg/kg). Our data show that this orthotopic LNCaP xenograft PCa model seems to reflect the clinical situation characterized by the fact that at time of diagnosis, prostate neoplasms are biologically heterogeneous and thus, it is a useful model to investigate new anti-metastatic therapies.     

An imageable highly metastatic orthotopic red fluorescent protein model of pancreatic cancer

In order to investigate the antitumor and antimetastatic efficacy of new chemotherapeutic agents, a novel, red-fluorescent, orthotopic model of pancreatic cancer was constructed in nude mice. MIA-PaCa-2 human pancreatic cancer cells were transduced with red fluorescent protein (RFP) and initially grown subcutaneously. Fluorescent tumor fragments were then transplanted onto the pancreas by surgical orthotopic implantation (SOI), facilitating high-resolution, real-time visualization of tumor and metastatic growth and dissemination in vivo. Tumor growth at the primary site was visible within the first postoperative week, while distant metastasis and the development of ascites became visible over the following week. This MIA-PaCa-2-RFP model produced extensive local disease and metastases to the retroperitoneum (100%), spleen (100%), intestinal and periportal lymph nodes (100%), liver (40%) and diaphragm (80%), and gave rise to malignant ascites and peritoneal carcinomatosis in 80% of cases. Growth and metastasis of tumor was more rapid and frequent than in previously described orthotopic pancreatic cancer models, leading to a median survival of only 21 days after tumor implantation. This unique, red fluorescent model rapidly and reliably simulates the highly aggressive course of human pancreatic cancer and can be easily non-invasively visualized in the live animal. The model can therefore be used for the discovery and evaluation of novel therapeutics for the treatment of this devastating disease.     

An in vivo model of human multidrug-resistant multiple myeloma in SCID mice.

We have established a reproducible in vivo model of human multiple myeloma in the severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mouse using both the RPMI 8226 human myeloma cell line and the P-glycoprotein-expressing multidrug-resistant 8226/C1N subline. SCID mice 5 to 8 weeks of age were injected intraperitoneally with either 8226 drug-sensitive or P-glycoprotein-expressing multidrug-resistant myeloma cells (8226/C1N). Tumors were detected within 5 days after injection by the presence of human lambda light chain excretion in the mouse urine. Growth of the tumor was observed primarily in the abdominal cavity with spread to the abdominal organs. The anti-neoplastic agent doxorubicin was effective in treating the drug-sensitive 8226 human-SCID xenografts but had no effect on the multi-drug-resistant 8226/C1N human-SCID xenografts. In the 8226-sensitive xenografts, treatment with doxorubicin resulted in a sharp decline in the concentration of human lambda light chain being excreted in the mouse urine. This correlated with an increased survival of the drug-treated animals. This mouse model offers an in vivo means of evaluating efficacy and toxicity of new therapeutic approaches, including development of chemosensitizers directed against P-glycoprotein in multidrug-resistant myelomas.     

Magnetic resonance imaging for the evaluation of a novel metastatic orthotopic model of human neuroblastoma in immunodeficient mice

Neuroblastoma is the second most common solid tumor in children. So far few tumor models for this cancer have been reported in mice. We have created a murine tumor model for studying human neuroblastoma based on surgical orthotopic implantation in scid mice. Small fragments of subcutaneous tumors of SK-N-BE(2) human neuroblastoma cells expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein were surgically implanted near the left adrenal gland of scid mice. One hundred percent of the animals (n=21) successfully implanted developed a large retroperitoneal tumor and became moribund between 22 and 57 days after implantation (mean survival time = 41 days). At the time of sacrifice the presence of bone marrow metastasis was detected by RT-PCR for green fluorescent protein in 95% of the cases. The growth of small tumor implants could be easily visualized and quantified by surveillance MR imaging, with a resolution of 117×117×750 μm in two orthogonal planes allowing accurate volume measurements, as well as assessment of necrosis and tissue invasion. This novel model should be a valuable tool to study the biology and therapeutic approaches to neuroblastoma. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

A patient-like orthotopic implantation nude mouse model of highly metastatic human ovarian cancer

Clinically relevant animal models of human cancer are important for studies of cancer biology, invasion and metastasis, and for investigating new forms of prognostic diagnosis and therapy. An ovarian tumor line (RMG-1: human clear cell carcinoma of the ovary) previously grown subcutaneously was implanted ortho-topically as intact tissue into the ovarian capsule of 22 nude mice. The tumors showed progressive growth at the orthotopic site in all animals. Tumor-associated serum galactosyltransferase (GAT) tended to be posi-tive in all nude -mice. The tumors invaded or metastasized to the contralateral ovary, retroperitoneum, mesentery and peritoneum, and omentum, and metastasized to the subcutaneous tissue, lymph nodes and distant organs including the liver, kidney, pancreas, and diaphragm. In striking contrast, subcutaneous trans-plantation of this tumor resulted in growth in only 2 of 5 animals with local lymph node and kidney involve-ment but no retroperitoneal or peritoneal involvement. These findings suggest that orthotopic implantation provides a suitable micro-environment in which ovarian cancer can express its intrinsic clinically-relevant properties. This approach is relevant to the clinical features of ovarian cancer and is thought to be a useful model for studies of therapy for this cancer.© Kluwer Academic Publishers 1998     

Endoscopy-guided orthotopic implantation of colorectal cancer cells results in metastatic colorectal cancer in mice

Advanced stage colorectal cancer (CRC) is still associated with limited prognosis. For preclinical evaluation of novel therapeutic approaches, murine models with orthotopic tumor growth and distant metastases are required. However, these models usually require surgical procedures possibly influencing tumor immunogenicity and development. The aim of this study was to establish a minimal-invasive endoscopy-based murine orthotopic model of metastatic CRC. During colonoscopy of CD-1 nude and non-obese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficiency (NOD/SCID) mice, implantation of Caco-2 and HT-29 CRC cells was performed subcutaneously (s.c.) or orthotopic into the colonic submucosa. White light endoscopy (WLE) and fluorescence endoscopy (FE) were applied for tumor detection in vivo. Ex vivo, resected tumors were examined by fluorescence reflectance imaging (FRI), histology, gelatin zymography and immunohistochemistry. In CD-1 nude mice, marked tumor growth was observed within 14 days after subcutaneous implantation while submucosal implantation failed to induce CRC after 17 weeks. In contrast, in NOD/SCID mice submucosal injection of HT-29 cells resulted in pronounced tumor growth 12 days post injectionem. Subsequently, rapid tumor expansion occurred, occupying the entire colonic circumference. Importantly, post mortem histological analyses confirmed liver metastases in 28.6 % and peritoneal metastases in 14.3 % of all mice. FRI and gelatin zymography did not detect a significantly increased matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) expression in s.c. implanted tumors while MMP-tracer uptake was significantly enhanced in orthotopic implanted tumors. Neither s.c. nor orthotopic Caco-2 cell implantation resulted in tumor development. We successfully established an endoscopy-based model of metastatic CRC in immunodeficient mice.     

Hyaluronidase expression induces prostate tumor metastasis in an orthotopic mouse model

Molecular mechanisms of prostate cancer progression are frequently studied in mice by orthotopic injection of aggressive cell lines, which yield primary tumors that spontaneously metastasize to lymph nodes. In this report, we characterized the human prostate carcinoma cell line 22Rv1 in an orthotopic system and evaluated the functional relevance of the hyaluronidase Hyal1, a correlate of invasive human prostate cancer, to progression in this model. To provide real-time insights into these processes, we first validated use of an epidermal growth factor-conjugated fluorophore to illuminate orthotopic prostate tumors and their metastases in whole animal imaging. Animals receiving intraprostatic injections were tracked throughout a 6-week period. Tumor sizes were correlated 92% with total fluorescence intensities of 22 prostate tumors. In contrast to the highly tumorigenic and metastatic PC3M-LN4 cells, the 22Rv1 line was orthotopically tumorigenic but not metastatic, despite larger tumor sizes. Lymph node metastasis was successfully imaged in animals with PC3M-LN4 tumors on endpoint dissection. Stable transfection of 22Rv1 cells with Hyal1 did not alter growth kinetics of primary orthotopic tumors, but all animals implanted with Hyal1 transfectants exhibited tumor-positive para-aortic lymph nodes. Hyal1 is implicated as an inducer of prostate cancer metastatic progression.     

Characterization of a highly metastatic, orthotopic lung cancer model in the nude rat

The prevailing subcutaneous nude rodent tumor xenograft models used for biological and preclinical studies do not optimally reflect some important biological properties of cancer, especially invasion and metastasis. Orthotopic models have been developed to address this need. However, for lung cancer none of the available models are optimal, in that none originate from an orthotopic (bronchial) primary site and exhibit extensive extrathoracic metastasis. Our goal was to develop a consistent rodent model of non-small cell lung cancer with both of these properties. Groups of male Rowett nude rats were given 500 rads of gamma radiation and then endobronchially implanted in the right caudal lobe airway with 50 mg of small NCI-H460 tumor fragments taken from an orthotopic donor tumor. They were then sacrificed at selected post-implantation times and evaluated grossly and histologically for animal weight, primary tumor take and size, and metastatic tumor incidence at multiple sites. At a late time point (32–35 days), consistency of primary tumor size and metastasis was estimated by comparing results from four groups of rats implanted on different occasions. The results showed that the primary tumors grew steadily, reaching four grams by days 32–35. Rats gained weight until days 14 to 21, but then began to show cachexia. High metastatic rates (>60%) were seen for mediastinal lymph nodes (by 21 days), and kidney, bone and brain (by 28 days). Mean primary tumor size and the incidences of both regional and systemic metastasis were consistent at 32–35 days in four different groups of six animals. In conclusion, this orthotopic lung cancer model is highly metastatic and consistent in terms of both primary tumor growth and metastatic behavior. It is the only available rodent model of human lung cancer emanating from an endobronchial site and metastasizing to multiple extrapulmonary sites, and should be very useful for both biological and preclinical studies of lung cancer, particularly where studies of antimetastatic activity are of interest, and/or where survival studies are desired.     

The development of a novel immunotherapy model of human ovarian cancer in human PBL-severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice.

The reported ability of SCID mice to accept xenografts of both human tumors and peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) provides the potential for the development of novel immunotherapy models in these animals. This study describes the development of a novel small animal model of human ovarian cancer. This was achieved by engrafting a human ovarian cancer cell line (Ovan-4) into the peritoneal cavity of immunodeficient SCID and immune reconstituted human PBL-SCID mice. When transplanted to SCID mice this cell line exhibited growth characteristics similar to the clinical disease observed in patients with implantation of metastatic nodules onto the interior surface of the peritoneal wall. Reconstituted human PBL-SCID mice challenged with identical numbers of Ovan-4 cells exhibited a significant increase in survival time, suggesting a role for cells of the human immune system in preventing the development of this type of malignancy in vivo. Furthermore, vaccination of human PBL-SCID mice against Ovan-4 produced tumour-specific human antibodies in the serum of these animals. Animals reconstituted with CD8-depleted PBL exhibited increased serum immunoglobulin levels and produced enhanced anti-Ovan-4 activity after vaccination. Subsequent challenge of these animals with Ovan-4 revealed a further increase in survival time. These results suggest that human antibodies may have a role in immunity against ovarian cancer and could be of therapeutic value in this type of disease.     

沉默激酶功能区受体抑制前列腺癌PC-3细胞的裸鼠体内成瘤能力

目的 研究激酶功能区受体(KDR)基因表达沉默后对前列腺癌PC-3细胞裸鼠体内成瘤能力的影响.方法 将15只5周龄BALB/c雄性裸鼠随机分为干扰组、阴性质粒组和未转染组,每组5只.分别接种构建的pSilencer 3.1-KDR siRNA表达质粒转染PC-3细胞、阴性对照质粒pSilencer3.1-NC转染PC-3细胞以及未转染的PC-3细胞于裸鼠皮下;观察各组PC-3细胞在裸鼠体内成瘤率、瘤体生长速度以及平均瘤质量等方面的变化,RT-PCR和Western blot技术检测瘤体KDR基因和蛋白表达.结果 pSilencer3.1KDR质粒转染组的裸鼠瘤体生长速度明显慢于未转染组和pSilencer3.1-NC质粒转染组;与未转染组和PSilencer3.1-NC组相比,pSilencer3.1-KDR组肿瘤的生长受到明显抑制,平均体积较小(0.28 cm3 vs 0.721 cm3,0.715 cm3,P＜0.01),平均瘤质量较轻(0.14g vs 0.648g,0.635g,P＜0.01);裸鼠肿瘤组织中KDR mRNA和蛋白的表达明显降低.结论 RNAi介导的KDR基因沉默可显著影响PC-3细胞裸鼠体内的瘤体生长速度,KDR有可能成为肿瘤治疗的新靶点.     

An ultra-metastatic model of human colon cancer in nude mice

An ultra-high metastatic model of human colon cancer was developed in order to represent highly malignant patient disease for which there is no current model. Surgical orthotopic implantation (SOI) of a histologically intact liver metastasis fragment derived from a surgical specimen of a patient with metastatic colon cancer was initially implanted in the colon, liver and subcutaneously in nude mice. This tumor did not metastasize for the first 10 passages. At the eleventh passage, the tumor exhibited metastasis from the colon to the liver, spleen, and lymph nodes. At this time, two selective passages were carried out by transplanting resulting liver metastases in the nude mice to the colon of additional nude mice. After these two passages, the tumor became stably ultra-metastatic and was termed AC3488UM. One-hundred percent of mice transplanted with AC3488UM with SOI to the colon exhibited local growth, regional invasion, and spontaneous metastasis to the liver, lymph nodes, and spleen. While the maximum size of the primary tumor was 0.9 g, the metastatic liver was over 9 times the weight of the normal liver with the maximum weight of the metastatic liver over 12 g. Liver metastases were detected by the tenth day after transplantation in all animals. Half the animals died of metastatic tumor 25 days after transplantation. Histological characteristics of AC3488UM tumor were poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of colon. Mutant p53 is expressed heterogeneously in the primary tumor and more homogeneously in the liver metastasis suggesting a possible role of p53 in the liver metastasis. The human origin of AC3488UM was confirmed by positive fluorescence staining for in situ hybridization of human DNA. The AC3488 human colon-tumor model with its ultra-high metastatic capability in each transplanted animal, short latency and a short median survival period is different from any known human colon cancer model and will be an important tool for the study of and development of new therapy for highly metastatic human colon cancer.     

重建SCID小鼠免疫功能对肝癌抗原的体液免疫应答

为在ＳＣＩＤ小鼠体内获得人免疫Ｂ淋巴细胞，将１２～１４周龄的胎儿肝细胞（１～２）×１０１０／Ｌ腹腔注射于ＳＣＩＤ小鼠，然后再分次接种肝癌细胞。用ＥＬＩＳＡ法于第４，５，６周连续检测ＳＣＩＤ－ｈｕ小鼠血清人ＩｇＧ；用免疫组化ＡＢＣ法检测各种组织中的人淋巴细胞。各实验小鼠均检测到人ＩｇＧ的存在，最高为３９１μｇ／Ｌ，且随时间的延长呈上升趋势。在ＳＣＩＤ－ｈｕ小鼠肝、脾及腹腔接种瘤组织的周边，可见人ＣＤ３＋和ＣＤ２０＋的淋巴细胞。上述结果表明，用人胎肝细胞移植可在ＳＣＩＤ小鼠体内获得人淋巴细胞，并对人肝癌细胞抗原产生免疫应答，分泌一定水平的抗人肝癌的抗体。提示：用人胎肝细胞在ＳＣＩＤ小鼠体内可建立人免疫系统的部分功能。     

Bcl-2 antisense oligonucleotides chemosensitize human gastric cancer in a SCID mouse xenotransplantation model

We used Bcl-2 antisense oligonucleotides (G3139) to chemosensitize human gastric cancer by downregulation of Bcl-2 expression in vivo. Oligonucleotides and cisplatin were administered systemically in a human gastric cancer SCID mouse model, and Bcl-2 expression, apoptosis, tumor size, and survival were assessed. Used alone, G3139 treatment led to downregulation of Bcl-2 and moderate tumor reduction compared to saline control. G3139 combined with cisplatin treatment markedly enhanced the antitumor effect of cisplatin (70% tumor size reduction vs. cisplatin alone), associated with increased apoptosis measured in tumor biopsy specimens. Combined treatment with G3139 and cisplatin prolonged survival of the tumor-bearing SCID mice by more than 50% without adding significant drug-related toxicity. Treatment with Bcl-2 antisense oligonucleotides is thus a promising novel approach to enhance antitumor activity of cisplatin or other drugs used in gastric cancer therapy and warrants further evaluation in clinical trials.     

Production of a strain of human osteogenic sarcoma cell line HOS transplantable into nude mice and rats

All-Union Oncologic Scientific Center, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR. Institute of Virology, Academy of Medical Sciences of the USSR, Moscow. Translated from Byulleten' Éksperimental'noi Biologii i Meditsiny, Vol. 106, No. 10, pp. 471–472, October, 1988.     

Growth of human tumor xenografts in SCID mice quantified using an immunoassay for tumor marker protein in serum

The accurate measurement of the response of a tumor to a given treatment is critical to evaluating novel therapeutic modalities. An experimental design is reported here that can be generally applied to monitoring human tumor xenografts growing in immunodeficient mice. A human non-small cell lung tumor cell line was transfected with a mammalian expression vector containing the gene encoding human prostate specific antigen (PSA) and has been shown to grow progressively following the subcutaneous, intraperitoneal and intravenous inoculation of the tumor into severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice. The transfected human tumor cells produce PSA that accumulates in the sera of all tumor inoculated SCID mice. An enzyme-linked immunoassay using a rabbit polyclonal and a mouse monoclonal antibody specific for PSA was designed and tested for the detection and quantification of serum PSA in tumor-bearing mice. Over a 5-week period, the serum levels of PSA of mice inoculated subcutaneously with the tumor increased progressively, and the estimated tumor volumes correlated with the amount of PSA detected in the serum. Serum PSA levels correlated even better with total tumor mass following the intraperitoneal inoculation of tumor cells into SCID mice. Serum PSA levels fell rapidly following the surgical debulking of tumor xenograft, reaching background levels of PSA in the serum 1 week after tumor removal. Serum PSA levels were also observed in SCID mice inoculated intravenously with a PSA transfected human lung tumor cell line adapted to grow orthotopically in the lung. The transfection of human tumors with a tumor marker and the use of an immunoassay to detect this marker establish an experimental design that provides a reliable, non-invasive, accurate and simple approach to monitor and quantify the growth of human tumor xenografts in SCID mice.     

Tumour growth inhibition of human pancreatic cancer xenografts in SCID mice by cimetidine

Inflammation Research -     

高转移人卵巢癌裸鼠皮下移植瘤模型的建立及其生物学特性

用人卵巢癌细胞系HO－8910移植探鼠，建立高转移人卵巢癌探鼠皮下移植瘤模型命名为（NSMO），已传代23次，仍保持高转移的特性。共接种BALB/c棵小鼠57只，皮下成瘤率为100％，平均带瘤存活时间为159．9天。在解剖47只裸鼠中有转移瘤鼠42只（89．4％）。最早出现转移的时间为56天。移植瘤组织学和超微结构保持原来人卵巢分化差的浆液性乳头状囊腺癌的形态特征和分泌功能。流式细胞术分析显示DNA指数为1．4，染色体分析显示众数为54（属于超二倍体），显示人类癌症的特征。移植瘤相关标记物检测显示大多数癌细胞雌激素受体和孕激素受体阳性。该模型为转移机制的研究和寻找抗转移药物提供了理想的工具。     

大鼠肝卵圆细胞系WB-F344恶性转化模型的构建及NOD/SCID小鼠成瘤实验

目的：通过N-甲基-N’-硝基-N-亚硝基胍(MNNG)处理大鼠肝卵圆细胞系WB-F344,使其发生恶性转化,为研究肝癌的发生、发展提供有用的体外模型。方法以MNNG作用于WB-F344细胞系,使之发生恶性转化,并从形态学、遗传学、软琼脂克隆形成、NOD/SCID小鼠成瘤等方面加以验证。结果经MNNG诱导数代的WB-F344细胞出现恶性特征,表现为细胞形态改变,异倍体核型增多,肿瘤标志物表达增高,非锚定克隆能力增强,接种于NOD/SCID小鼠皮下可成瘤。结论肝卵圆细胞系WB-F344在MNNG的作用下可成为肝癌发生的有效体外模型。     

Development of a high metastatic orthotopic model of human renal cell carcinoma in nude mice: benefits of fragment implantation compared to cell-suspension injection

In this study we compared the metastatic rate of human renal cell carcinoma SN12C in two orthotopic nude mouse models: surgical orthotopic implantation (SOI) of histologically intact tumor tissue and cellular orthotopic injection (COI) of cell suspensions in the kidney. The primary tumors resulting from SOI were larger and much more locally invasive than primary tumors resulting from COI. SOI generated higher metastatic expression than COI. The differences in metastatic rates in the involved organs (lung, liver, and mediastinal lymph nodes) were 2–3 fold higher in SOI compared to COI (P<0.05). Median survival time in the SOI model was 40 days, which was significantly shorter than that of COI (68 days) (P<0.001). Histological observation of the primary tumors from the SOI model demonstrated a much richer vascular network than the COI model. Lymph node and lung metastases were larger and more cellular in the SOI model compared to COI. We conclude that the tissue architecture of the implanted tumor tissue in the SOI model plays an important role in the initiation of primary tumor growth, invasion, and distant metastasis. This study directly demonstrates that the implantation of histologically intact tumor tissue orthotopically allows accurate expression of the clinical features of human renal cancer in nude mice. This model should be of value in cancer research and antimetastatic drug discovery for renal cancer, a currently very poorly responding malignancy.