Orthotopic Models of Human Gastric Carcinoma in Nude Mice: Applications for Study of Tumor Growth and Progression

Abstract

Gastric carcinoma (GC) remains a leading cause of cancer related deaths worldwide with the 5-year survival rate in the U.S. at -5% to 15% with existing therapies. This tumor is aggressive and has often metastasized to distant sites (liver, lung, and adjacent intestine) by the time of diagnosis. Treatment options (surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy) are limited and the disease carries a grave prognosis for most patients (50% 5-year survival for distal GC; 10% 5-year survival for proximal GC). An orthotopic model of human GC in nude mice provides an excellent way to evaluate the pathogenesis of tumor growth and metastasis in order to develop effective therapies, as well as to better understand the underlying biology of gastric tumor growth and metastasis. The protocol described in this unit details the development and characterization of an orthotopic model of human GC in athymic nude mice with diffuse lymphatic and hepatic metastatic spread. This model closely mimics the course of the human disease.