Animal models of multiple myeloma and their utility in drug discovery

Curr Protoc Pharmacol. 2008 Mar:Chapter 14:Unit 14.9. doi: 10.1002/0471141755.ph1409s40.

Abstract

To evaluate potential new therapies and targets for treating multiple myeloma (MM), reproducible, biologically relevant in vivo models are required. Preclinical in vivo models of human MM allow investigators to evaluate novel therapies alone and in combination and quickly translate these results to the clinic where patients directly benefit, whether in the form of a new clinical trial, new doses and schedules, or new drug combinations. Presented in this unit are protocols for generating and maintaining a human extramedullary MM tumor in mice. Additionally, the extramedullary tumor can be excised and digested into a single-cell suspension and the human MM cells injected into mice subcutaneously, intravenously, or intratibially. Once these tumors are generated, they can be used to evaluate novel anti-MM agents and other therapies.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Disease Models, Animal*
  • Drug Discovery / methods*
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulins / blood
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, SCID
  • Multiple Myeloma / blood
  • Multiple Myeloma / drug therapy*
  • Multiple Myeloma / pathology
  • Neoplasm Transplantation / methods
  • Specimen Handling / methods
  • Transplantation, Heterologous

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Immunoglobulins