Establishment of in vivo Skin, Liver and Lung Cancer Xenograft Models using NCI-H640 and HepG2 Cell Lines in Athymic Nude Mice

Numerous murine models are available to study human cancer. These models are used to investigate the factors involved in malignant transformation, invasion and metastasis, as well as to examine response to therapy. One of the most widely used models is the human tumor xenograft. In this model, human tumor cells are transplanted, either under the skin or into the organ type in which the tumor originated, in immunocompromised mice that do not reject human cells. For example, the xenograft will be readily accepted by athymic nude mice, severely compromised immunodeficient (SCID) mice, or other immunocompromised mice. Depending upon the number of cells injected, or the size of the tumor transplanted, the tumor will develop over 1–8 weeks (or in some instances 1–4 months, or longer), and the response to appropriate therapeutic regimes can be studied in vivo. With this approach, using nude mice, we have established a subcutaneous xenograft and intrathoracic orthotopic models with human non-small cell lung cancer cell line (NCI-H460). These tumors grow to an appreciable volume within 10 days with 100% frequency subcutaneously and in the thorax. To test the validity of these models, we treated mice with known anticancer chemotherapeutic agent (Topotecan). This group showed significant reduction in the tumor volume compared to the untreated group. In addition, we have established a liver xenograft using HepG2 liver cell line. Compared to NCI-H460, HepG2 showed 50% frequency to tumors production. In conclusion, these models can be used to assess the anticancer property of different natural products in vivo.