Local drug delivery systems (LDDS) represent a promising therapy strategy concerning the most common and malignant primary brain tumor glioblastoma (GBM). Nevertheless, to date, only a few systems have been clinically applied, and their success is very limited. Still, numerous new LDDS approaches are currently being developed. Here, (partial resection) GBM animal models play a key role, as such models are needed to evaluate the therapy prior to any human application. However, such models are complex to establish, and only a few reports detail the process. Here, we report our results of establishing a partial resection glioma model in rats suitable for evaluating LDDS. C6-bearing Wistar rats and U87MG-spheroids- and patient-derived glioma stem-like cells-bearing athymic rats underwent tumor resection followed by the implantation of an exemplary LDDS. Inoculation, tumor growth, residual tumor tissue, and GBM recurrence were reliably imaged using high-resolution Magnetic Resonance Imaging. The release from an exemplary LDDS was verified in vitro and in vivo using Fluorescence Molecular Tomography. The presented GBM partial resection model appears to be well suited to determine the efficiency of LDDS. By sharing our expertise, we intend to provide a powerful tool for the future testing of these very promising systems, paving their way into clinical application.
Keywords: glioblastoma; local drug delivery systems; partial resection model; rodent animal model.