A short-term in vivo model for Merkel Cell Carcinoma

Abstract

In vivo tumour models are essential for studying the biology of cancer, identifying tumour targets and evaluating anti-tumour drugs. Considering the request for the minimization of animal experiments and following the „3R"-rule („replacement", „refinement", „reduction"), it has become crucial to develop alternative experimental models in cancer biology. Several studies have already described the avian chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model as an alternative to rodents, suitable to investigate growth, progression and metastasis of various types of cancer. In the present work, we grafted three Merkel Cell Carcinoma (MCC) cell lines onto the avian CAM and monitored tumour growth and development of solid tumour nodules. Morphology of xenograft was characterized histologically and immunohistochemically. Our results demonstrate CAM assay as a useful tool to study MCC pathophysiology.

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