Int. J. Dev. Biol. 55: 547 - 555 (2011)

https://doi.org/10.1387/ijdb.103230ml

Vol 55, Issue 4-5

Special Issue: Angiogenesis in Development & Cancer

The use of the orthotopic model to validate antivascular therapies for cancer

Review | Published: 19 July 2011

Monica Loi¹, Daniela Di Paolo¹, Pamela Becherini¹, Alessia Zorzoli¹, Patrizia Perri¹, Roberta Carosio¹, Michele Cilli², Domenico Ribatti³, Chiara Brignole¹, Gabriella Pagnan¹, Mirco Ponzoni^1,#,* and Fabio Pastorino^1,#,*

¹Experimental Therapies Unit, Laboratory of Oncology, G. Gaslini Children’s Hospital, Genoa, ²Animal Research Facility, National Cancer Institute, Genoa and ³Department of Human Anatomy and Histology, University of Bari, Italy

Abstract

The orthotopic model reproduces aspects of the tumour microenvironment and emulates a number of important biological features of cancer progression, angiogenesis, metastasis and resistance. Due to its parallels with human cancer, the model can be used to evaluate therapeutic responses to various therapies. This review outlines the importance of using the orthotopic implantation of tumour cells in mice models for evaluating the effectiveness of antivascular therapies.

Keywords

orthotopic model, vascular disrupting agent, antivascular therapy, cancer