An improved orthotopic xenotransplant procedure for human lung cancer in SCID bg mice

Abstract

Background. Overall prognosis in human lung cancer is still poor. A highly reproducible, easy to perform in vivo model, which closely resembles the clinical features of advanced human lung cancer, is required for the evaluation of novel therapies.Methods. Tumor cells, originated from a human adenocarcinoma, a squamous cell carcinoma, and an undifferentiated large cell carcinoma, were xenotransplanted heterotopically by subcutaneous and intravenous injection and compared with orthotopic intrapleural and intrapulmonary xenotransplantation by a facilitated engraftment procedure into SCID bg mice.Results. Subcutaneous injection of tumor cells resulted in a 100% engraftment rate with establishment of solid tumors without clinically relevant metastases. Intravenous injection had poor engraftment rates by hematogenous spread. Depending on the cell line, a 80% to 100% engraftment rate in orthotopic xenotransplantation was achieved, resulting in a consistent pattern of mediastinal and bilateral pulmonary metastases.Conclusions. The facilitated orthotopic xenotransplantation of human lung cancer is easy to perform and results in a reproducible in vivo model that closely resembles the clinical features of advanced human lung cancer. Consequently, this model appears suitable for in vivo evaluation of novel cancer therapies in preclinical tests.