Colorectal cancer murine models: Initiation to metastasis

Ramesh Pothuraju; Imran Khan; Maneesh Jain; Michael Bouvet; Mokenge Malafa; Hemant K Roy; Sushil Kumar; Surinder K Batra

doi:10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216704

Colorectal cancer murine models: Initiation to metastasis

Cancer Lett. 2024 Apr 10:587:216704. doi: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216704. Epub 2024 Feb 14.

Authors

Ramesh Pothuraju¹, Imran Khan², Maneesh Jain³, Michael Bouvet⁴, Mokenge Malafa⁵, Hemant K Roy⁶, Sushil Kumar⁷, Surinder K Batra⁸

Affiliations

¹ Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE-68198, USA; Cancer Research Program, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, 695014, Kerala, India.
² Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE-68198, USA.
³ Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE-68198, USA; Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE-68198, USA.
⁴ Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, California, USA.
⁵ Department of Gastrointestinal Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, 33612, USA.
⁶ Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX-77030, USA.
⁷ Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE-68198, USA; Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE-68198, USA. Electronic address: skumar@unmc.edu.
⁸ Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE-68198, USA; Fred and Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE-68198, USA; Eppley Institute for Research in Cancer and Allied Diseases, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE-68198, USA. Electronic address: sbatra@unmc.edu.

PMID: 38360138
DOI: 10.1016/j.canlet.2024.216704

Abstract

Despite significant advancements in prevention and treatment, colorectal cancer (CRC) remains the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Animal models, including xenografts, syngeneic, and genetically engineered, have emerged as indispensable tools in cancer research. These models offer a valuable platform to address critical questions regarding molecular pathogenesis and test therapeutic interventions before moving on to clinical trials. Advancements in CRC animal models have also facilitated the advent of personalized and precision medicine. Patient-derived xenografts and genetically engineered mice that mirror features of human tumors allow for tailoring treatments to specific CRC subtypes, improving treatment outcomes and quality of life. To overcome the limitations of individual model systems, recent studies have employed a multi-modal approach, combining different animal models, 3D organoids, and in vitro studies. This integrative approach provides a comprehensive understanding of CRC biology, including the tumor microenvironment and therapeutic responses, driving the development of more effective and personalized therapeutic interventions. This review discusses the animal models used for CRC research, including recent advancements and limitations of these animal models.

Keywords: Chemically induced mouse models; Colorectal cancer; Genetically engineered mouse models; Patient-derived xenograft models; Xenograft models.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Colorectal Neoplasms* / pathology
Disease Models, Animal
Humans
Mice
Quality of Life
Tumor Microenvironment

Grants and funding

R01 CA263575/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United States