Orthotopic Models
Orthotopic oncology mouse models help researchers understand cancer development, progression, and treatment efficacy with greater precision to alternative mouse models. Particularly relevant for hard-to-treat cancers, such as pancreatic cancer and glioblastoma, an orthotopic mouse model offers a more accurate preclinical platform for drug development, because of its ability to mimic the physiological environment of human tumors to a greater extent. We have in-house capabilities and can develop, based on your needs, a custom orthotopic mouse model.
Benefits of the Orthotopic Mouse Model
- Natural tumor microenvironment: Through replicating natural conditions, including tissue-specific factors, blood supply, and interaction with neighboring cells, the orthotopic mouse model will enable the observation of tumor behavior in a context that closely resembles clinical scenarios.
- Clinical Relevance: By studying tumors in their native environment, your research findings can gain enhanced clinical relevance, orthotopic mouse models provide valuable insights that bridge the gap between preclinical studies and human clinical trials, accelerating the development of effective therapies.
- Interaction with the immune system: Heavily influenced by critical tumor-immune interactions, cancer development and treatment response can be investigated with the orthotopic mouse model.
Monitoring tumor progression with flow cytometry panels
Flow cytometry panels can allow for monitoring of tumor growth and metastasis in an orthotopic mouse model. This can provide insights into the efficacy of potential therapies and identify potential biomarkers for response or resistance to treatment.
Histology and immunohistochemistry
Histological techniques can be used to analyze tumor tissues within an orthotopic mouse model, this enables the examination of changes within the tissue architecture, cell morphology, and protein expression, providing valuable insights into the biological effects of treatments.
Imaging
Bioluminescence, a non-invasive imaging technique, can be used to monitor real-time tumor growth and metastasis, providing insight into treatment efficacy, and a method of identifying biomarkers for response or resistance.
Advancing Cancer Research In Vivo with the Orthotopic Mouse Model
Many varieties of the orthotopic mouse model have proved highly valuable in advancing the understanding of various cancers, some examples of in vivo studies with orthotopic mouse models include:
Breast Cancer: Extensively used in breast cancer research, the orthotopic mouse model enables the study of metastatic behavior of breast cancer tumor cells. Because the model is able to closely mimic the natural tumor microenvironment of the cancer, it facilitates the investigation of tumor growth, metastasis, and response to treatments, including chemotherapy, radiation, and targeted therapies.
Brain Cancer: The malignant brain tumor, Glioblastoma Multiforme, has been thoroughly studied via the orthotopic mouse model, in exploring tumor progression, invasion of surrounding regions, and for understanding the role of blood-brain barrier in drug delivery. These studies provide crucial knowledge for developing effective treatments in order to combat this complex disease.
Pancreatic Cancer: Utilized in studying this aggressive disease, and in evaluating its tumor progression, invasion, and therapeutic responses, the mouse model can be used to identify biomarkers, and novel treatment strategies for pancreatic cancer.
Prostate Cancer: The orthotopic mouse model has been used to study the interactions of prostate cancer cells with its surrounding tissue, in order to study tumor growth, metastasis, and hormone responsiveness, through this new therapies can be tested, such as androgen deprivation treatments.
Lung Cancer: Orthotopic mouse models facilitate the study of lung cancer, its metastasis, and the effects of therapies and immunotherapies on targeted tumor cells, by implanting lung tumor cells into the lungs of mice.
Colorectal Cancer: Using the orthotopic mouse model, the interaction between colorectal cancer and the intestinal environment can be closely studied, evaluating tumor growth, invasion, and response to therapeutic agents like chemotherapeutics and immunotherapies.
A Sample of Orthotopic Models Offered
Ask us if you are looking for a specific orthotopic mouse model! We’ll help you onboard your model.