Building 'validated' mouse models of human cancer

As a model system for the understanding of human cancer, the mouse has prov ed immensely valuable. Indeed, studies of mouse models have helped to defin e the nature of cancer as a genetic disease and demonstrated the causal rol e of genetic events found in tumors. As the scientific and medical communit y's understanding of human cancer becomes more sophisticated, however, limi tations and potential weaknesses of existing models are revealed. How valid are these murine models for the understanding and treatment of human cance r? The answer, it appears, depends on the nature of the research requiremen t. Certain models are better suited for particular applications. Using nove l molecular tools and genetic strategies, improved models have recently bee n described that accurately mimic many aspects of human cancer.