Co-implantation of Tumor and Extensive Surrounding Tissue Improved the Establishment Rate of Surgical Specimens of Human-Patient Cancer in Nude Mice: Toward the Goal of Universal Individualized Cancer Therapy

Background/aim The discovery of the nude mouse model enabled the experimental growth of human-patient tumors. However, the low establishment rate of tumors in nude and other immunodeficient strains of mice has limited wide-spread clinical use. Materials and methods In order to increase the establishment rate of surgical specimens of patient tumors, we transplanted tumors to nude mice subcutaneously along with large amounts of surrounding tissue of the tumor. Results The new transplantation method increased the establishment rate in nude mice to 66% compared to the old method of implanting the surgical tumor specimen with surrounding tissue removed (14%). High stage and presence of metastasis in the patient donor are positively correlated to tumor engraftment in nude mice. Conclusion The new method can potentially allow most cancer patients who undergo surgery or biopsy to have their own mouse model for drug-sensitivity testing.