Value of human colon cancer models by surgical intracaecal implantation innude mice.

A better understanding of the nature and treatment of colon cancer, and of by metastatic dissemination should be achieved by the use and study of appr opriate animal models. Such models can be created by grafting human cancer cells or tumour fragments orthotopically into the colon or caecum of nude m ice. This review examines the rationale behind these models and the princip al results of orthotopic transplantation. Despite the fact that they requir e surgical expertise and are time-consuming, they provide valuable informat ion on the mechanism of metastasis and the efficacy of novel treatments.