An intrasplenic injection model of pancreatic cancer metastasis to the liver in mice

Megan O'Brien; Matthias Ernst; Ashleigh R Poh

doi:10.1016/j.xpro.2022.102021

An intrasplenic injection model of pancreatic cancer metastasis to the liver in mice

STAR Protoc. 2023 Mar 17;4(1):102021. doi: 10.1016/j.xpro.2022.102021. Epub 2023 Jan 12.

Authors

Megan O'Brien¹, Matthias Ernst¹, Ashleigh R Poh²

Affiliations

¹ Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute and La Trobe University School of Cancer Medicine, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia.
² Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute and La Trobe University School of Cancer Medicine, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia. Electronic address: ashleigh.poh@onjcri.org.au.

Abstract

Here, we provide a protocol for an intrasplenic injection model to establish pancreatic tumors in the mouse liver. We describe the steps to inject tumor cells into mouse spleen and to perform a splenectomy, followed by animal recovery and end point analysis of tumors in the liver. This model allows rapid and reproducible tumor growth in a clinically relevant metastatic site, providing a platform to evaluate the efficacy of anti-cancer drugs. This technique can be expanded to other cancer cell lines. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Poh et al. (2022).¹.

Keywords: Cancer; Cell Biology; Cell culture; Immunology; Model Organisms.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Animals
Liver Neoplasms* / pathology
Mice
Neoplasm Transplantation
Pancreatic Neoplasms* / pathology