New animal models to probe brain tumor biology, therapy, and immunotherapy: Advantages and remaining concerns

New genetic models provide better biological mimics of human tumors. The ne w models can give deeper insight into tumorigenesis and provide better targ ets for testing therapies. To use the new models most successfully, it is u seful to keep in mind limitations that are harder to overcome by genetic ma nipulation. These include biochemical and anatomical differences between sp ecies, as well as differences in scale, both spatial and temporal. Three ap proaches to new genetic brain tumor models are described in the following a rticles. This essay provides a context, bringing out both advantages and re maining concerns. Examples are taken from work in brain tumor immunobiology and immunotherapy. The complementarity of different models, and the dichot omy between general principles and model-specific details are stressed.