A patient-like orthotopic implantation nude mouse model of highly metastatic human ovarian cancer

Clinically relevant animal models of human cancer are important for studies of cancer biology, invasion and metastasis, acid for investigating new for ms of prognostic diagnosis and therapy. An ovarian tumor line (RMG-1: human clear cell carcinoma of the ovary) previously grown subcutaneously was imp lanted orthotopically as intact tissue into the ovarian capsule of 22 nude mice. The tumors showed progressive growth at the orthotopic site in all an imals. Tumor-associated serum galactosyltransferase (GAT) tended to be posi tive in all nude -mice. The tumors invaded or metastasized to the contralat eral ovary, retroperitoneum, mesentery and peritoneum, and omentum, and met astasized to the subcutaneous tissue, lymph nodes and distant organs includ ing the liver, kidney, pancreas, and diaphragm, In striking contrast, subcu taneous transplantation of this tumor resulted in growth in only 2 of 5 ani mals,vith local lymph node and kidney involvement but no retroperitoneal or peritoneal involvement. These findings suggest that orthotopic implantatio n provides a suitable micro-environment in which ovarian cancer can express its intrinsic clinically-relevant properties. This approach is relevant to the clinical features of ovarian cancer and is thought to be a useful mode l for studies of therapy for this cancer.