Abstract A040: In vivo imaging of ovarian and non-small cell lung cancer models hosted in the Sprague-Dawley Rag2 null Il2rgamma null SRG rat (OncoRat®)

Abstract

Abstract Human cancer xenografts are a vital tool for understanding tumor biology. While in vivo studies are traditionally done in immunocompromised mice, we have created the SRG OncoRat® that is an excellent host for human xenografts. In vivo luminescent imaging is routinely used in mouse models, and it is particularly useful for studying orthotopic xenografts or metastatic models. In this study, we validated the SRG rat as a model that can effectively be used for in vivo imaging of human cancers. For the current study, we assessed two tumor models. OV81.2-luc is a luciferase positive cell line that was generated from ascites collection from a grade IIIC serous ovarian carcinoma. Tumors were established by inoculating OV81.2-luc cells IP into female SRG rats and female NSG mice, then treated with vehicle or cisplatin for 28 days. Human non-small cell lung cancer line H358-luc is luciferase positive and metastasizes to lung when injected subcutaneously into the hind flank of SRG rats. Tumors were measured thrice weekly with calipers. For both studies, we performed weekly in vivo luciferase imaging using Spectral Instruments AMI-HT. Tumors established rapidly for both OV81.2-luc and H358-luc in both SRG rats and NSG mice, with luciferin positive signal starting one week post inoculation. In OV81.2-luc hosting animals, upon necropsy, tumors were found on multiple abdominal organs including the peritoneum, ovary, mesentery, intestines, kidneys, liver, and body cavity wall. Metastatic events outside the abdominal cavity were not evident in OV81.2-luc hosting animals. In H358-luc tumor bearing rats, a high metastatic tumor burden was found in the lungs. These data confirm that the SRG rat is an excellent host for studying human cancer when compared to commonly used immunodeficient mouse models. Data demonstrate that the SRG rat has a high utility for studies using both in vivo imaging, such as orthotopic tumor implantation, and studies on metastasis. As the most immunodeficient rat commercially available, the SRG rat retains the ability to establish human tumors while possessing size, physiology, and metabolism-based advantages when compared to mice. Citation Format: Diane Begemann, Nicolas Johnston, Marissa O’Callaghan, Grace Walton, Valeriya Steffey, Fallon Noto. In vivo imaging of ovarian and non-small cell lung cancer models hosted in the Sprague-Dawley Rag2 null Il2rgamma null SRG rat (OncoRat®) [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Cancer Metastasis; 2022 Nov 14-17; Portland, OR. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;83(2 Suppl_2):Abstract nr A040.