Q. W. was supported by NIH T32CA009685. R. J. W. was supported by NIH R01CA219534. The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Core Facilities were supported by NIH P30CA008748.

The animal procedures described here were approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Eight-week-old male and female NSG mice were used here. The animals were obtained from a commercial source (see Table of Materials). The instruments are sterilized, the surgical working surface is disinfected, the animal&#39;s skin surface is disinfected, and the surgeon wears sterile gloves throughout the procedure.
1. Preparation of the mice and preoperative setup
<ol>
	<li>On the day before surgery, anesthetize the mouse with 2% isoflurane in an induction chamber (3.75 in width x 9 in depth x 3.75 in height, see Table of Materials). 
	&#8203;NOTE: A surgical plane of anesthesia is usually achieved in 3-5 min, depending on the individual animal. Assess the adequacy of anesthesia by toe pinch, and increase the isoflurane percentage as appropriate.
	<ol>
		<li>Shave the ventral aspect of the neck or use a chemical hair removal agent according to the manufacturer&#39;s instructions (see Table of Materials).</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>On the day of the surgery, anesthetize the mouse with 2% isoflurane in an induction chamber. Assess the adequacy of anesthesia by toe pinch, and increase the isoflurane percentage as appropriate.</li>
	<li>Administer 2 mg/kg of meloxicam subcutaneously for preemptive systemic analgesia. Apply topical ophthalmic ointment (see Table of Materials) to prevent ocular injuries and dryness under anesthesia.</li>
	<li>Place the mouse under a dissecting microscope on its dorsal side and provide thermal support. Maintain inhalational anesthesia with 2%-2.5% isoflurane using a precision vaporizer and nose cone. Gently secure both forelimbs with hypoallergenic tape (see Table of Materials).</li>
	<li>Clean the shaved, ventral aspect of the neck with povidone-iodine, and then wipe with 70% alcohol. Repeat this process two more times. Ensure that the surgical site is free from any loose hair. 
	NOTE:&#160;A pair of short curved forceps may also be used. Ensure to use a pair of fine or ophthalmic forceps to adequately work in this confined space. Additional pre-operative setup can be included as per the institutional guidelines.&#160;</li>
</ol>
2. Dissection
<ol>
	<li>Make a 1.5 cm midline skin incision on the ventral aspect of the neck using small scissors from approximately 2 mm below the chin to 2 mm above the sternal notch.</li>
	<li>Retract the edges of the skin laterally with forceps to expose the underlying fascia and submandibular salivary glands. Separate the skin from the underlying fascia by inserting pointed scissors under the skin on each side and spreading. Pull down the submandibular glands caudally with forceps to reveal the underlying muscles.</li>
	<li>Locate the junction of the posterior belly of the digastric muscle and omohyoid muscle (Figure 1A, black circle). The anterior jugular vein is seen running longitudinally and lateral to the omohyoid muscle. 
	NOTE: The omohyoid muscle covers the trachea longitudinally, while the digastric muscle lies transversely at the cranial aspect of the trachea (Figure 1C).
	<ol>
		<li>Insert the tip of 45&#176; angled forceps at this junction, lateral to the anterior jugular vein, to pierce and spread an opening in the overlying deep cervical fascia.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Keep this window created in step 2.3.1 open with the 45&#176; angled forceps. Expand this opening wider by performing spreading maneuvers with a pair of curved forceps in the other hand.</li>
</ol>
3. Identification and resection of the ganglion
<ol>
	<li>Locate the superior cervical ganglion (SCG) on the lateral wall of the revealed space. It appears as a round, pearly tissue. 
	NOTE: If the SCG is not identified, the tissues in this space need to be examined more laterally and superiorly. The SCG may be easily confused with fat, which is often present in this region. Fat has a slightly yellow tinge, while in contrast, the SCG appears pearl white.</li>
	<li>While maintaining the opening with forceps with the other hand, gently grasp the SCG with forceps, and pull it out of the opening to bring it into better view.</li>
	<li>Once the SCG is in view, grasp the lateral base of the SCG, where it is still attached to the surrounding tissues. Using the other hand, slowly and gently retract the SCG in a ventral and caudal direction.
	<ol>
		<li>Retract the SCG multiple times to gradually avulse the ganglion little by little. Keep the ganglion intact during this maneuver to ensure no residual ganglion remnants are left behind. 
		NOTE: Pull the ganglion gently, as bleeding may occur during this step. If minor bleeding occurs, use oxidized regenerated cellulose or a small strip of sterile gauze to hold pressure over the opening for 30 s to 1 min. Then, slowly lift the gauze and reassess. Repeat the process of holding pressure over the opening as necessary until the bleeding has stopped.</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Slowly release the other forceps holding the base of the ganglion. Check for bleeding by looking for blood pooling. 
	NOTE: Slight oozing at this time is normal. Monitor and ensure there is no persistent or significant bleeding before closing and finishing the procedure. If this occurs, hold pressure over the opening, as described in step 3.3.1.</li>
	<li>Move the salivary glands back into their normal anatomic positions. Approximate and close the skin using simple interrupted 5-0 nylon sutures (see Table of Materials).</li>
	<li>Place the mouse in a clean cage by itself to allow for full recovery from the anesthesia. 
	NOTE: It may take 5-15 min for the mouse to awaken fully from the anesthesia. Do not leave the mouse unattended until it has regained sufficient consciousness to maintain sternal recumbency. Do not place the mouse in a cage with other mice until it has fully recovered. Assess the mouse for postsurgical recovery at least once every 24 h for 72 h.</li>
</ol>

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The authors have nothing to disclose.

This protocol describes a mouse model for the surgical unilateral ablation of SCG input. This technique allows for studying the effects of adrenergic innervation in various settings. In addition, the resected sympathetic ganglion can also be grown in 3D matrigel culture for in vitro experiments30.
Studies involving SCGx have mostly been performed in rats, as their larger anatomy allows for easier anatomic visualization and dissection. While SCGx in mice has bee...

Multiple studies have reported that the nerves in the tumor microenvironment play an active role in supporting tumor progression. The ablation of adrenergic sympathetic nerves has been shown to impair tumor development and dissemination in prostate and gastric cancer in vivo1,2,3, while the pharmacological blockade of adrenergic receptors inhibits tumor growth in head and neck cancer4. Sympathetic neural involvement has also been described in pancreatic, cervical, and basal cell carcinoma progression5,6,7.
Within the sympathetic nervous system, the superior cervical ganglion (SCG) is the only ganglion of the sympathetic trunk that innervates the head. The SCG regulates various physiologic functions, such as salivary secretion and circadian rhythm, and directly innervates the cervical lymph nodes8,9,10. The SCG has also been implicated in pathologic processes such as macular degeneration11 and the progression of aortic dissection12. Additionally, resection of the SCG has been reported to aggravate ischemia reperfusion-induced acute kidney injury13 and also alter the gut microbiota in rats14.
The complete ablation of the SCG in a mouse model would represent a valuable experimental technique to enable cancer and autonomic nervous system research. While many studies have utilized pharmacological adrenergic receptor blockade as an adrenergic ablation15,16,17,18,19,20, surgical resection allows for complete, unilateral adrenergic ablation while avoiding the need for repeated pharmacologic intervention and the associated side effects21,22,23.
Surgical resection of the SCG has been described in rats24, and most reports studying the effect of superior cervical ganglionectomy (SCGx) have employed the rat model. Compared to the rat model, SCGx is technically more challenging in mice due to the small size of the SCG. However, mice are comparatively easier to handle, more cost-effective, and more amenable to genetic manipulation. Garcia et al. were one of the first to report SCGx in mice, and it was found to affect insulin release25. More recently, Ziegler et al. described SCGx in mice based on the published technique described for rats24,26. This and other articles describe a method in which the common carotid artery (CCA) is first identified and dissected, and the SCG is subsequently removed from the bifurcation of the CCA21,22,27,28. In this article, a less invasive and safer technique is described in mice that avoids the dissection of the CCA, thereby minimizing the most serious complication of this procedure &#8211; bleeding from an injury to the CCA.

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Anti-Tyrosine Hydroxylase Antibody</td>
			<td>EMD Millipore</td>
			<td>AB152</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Artificial Tears Lubricant Ophthalmic Ointment</td>
			<td>Akorn</td>
			<td>59399-162-35</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Curity 2 x 2 Inch Gauze Sponge 8 Ply, Sterile</td>
			<td>Covidien</td>
			<td>1806</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Derf Needle Holder</td>
			<td>Thomas Scientific</td>
			<td>1177K00</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dissecting Microscope</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dumont #5/45 Forceps</td>
			<td>Fine Science Tools</td>
			<td>11251-35</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dumont #7b Forceps</td>
			<td>Fine Science Tools</td>
			<td>11270-20</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>ETHILON Nylon Suture</td>
			<td>Ethicon</td>
			<td>698H</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Fine Scissors - ToughCut</td>
			<td>Fine Science Tools</td>
			<td>14058-09</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Hypoallergenic Surgical Tape</td>
			<td>3M Blenderm</td>
			<td>70200419342</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Induction Chamber, 2 Liter</td>
			<td>VetEquip</td>
			<td>941444</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Isoflurane</td>
			<td>Baxter</td>
			<td>1001936060</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Nair</td>
			<td>Church &#38; Dwight Co., Inc</td>
			<td>40002957</td>
			<td>chemical hair removing agent</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>NORADRENALINE RESEARCH ELISA</td>
			<td>Labor Diagnostika Nord (Rocky Mountain Diagnostics)</td>
			<td>BA E-5200</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>NSG Mouse</td>
			<td>Jackson Laboratory</td>
			<td>JAX:005557</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Povidone-Iodine Swabstick</td>
			<td>PDI</td>
			<td>S41350</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Webcol Alcohol Preps</td>
			<td>Covidien</td>
			<td>5110</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

surgical technique for superior cervical ganglionectomy in a murine model

Growing evidence suggests that the sympathetic nervous system plays an important role in cancer progression. Adrenergic innervation regulates salivary gland secretion, circadian rhythm, macular degeneration, immune function, and cardiac physiology. Murine surgical sympathectomy is a method for studying the effects of adrenergic innervation by allowing for complete, unilateral adrenergic ablation while avoiding the need for repeated pharmacologic intervention and the associated side effects. However, surgical sympathectomy in mice is technically challenging because of the small size of the superior cervical ganglion. This study describes a surgical technique for reliably identifying and resecting the superior cervical ganglion to ablate the sympathetic nervous system. The successful identification and removal of the ganglion are validated by imaging the fluorescent sympathetic ganglia using a transgenic mouse, identifying post-resection Horner's syndrome, staining for adrenergic markers in the resected ganglia, and observing diminished adrenergic immunofluorescence in the target organs following sympathectomy. This model enables future studies of cancer progression as well as other physiological processes regulated by the sympathetic nervous system.

This protocol describes the surgical removal of the SCG in a mouse model. Figure 2 illustrates the anatomical landmarks, including the CCA, the anterior jugular vein, and the SCG. With dissection (Figure 2A), the right anterior jugular vein can be seen coursing alongside the lateral border of the trachea. As it is located deeper than the anterior jugular vein, the left CCA and its bifurcation into the internal carotid artery (ICA) and external carotid artery (EC...

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Surgical Technique for Superior Cervical Ganglionectomy in a Murine Model

The present protocol describes a mouse model of the ablation of adrenergic innervation by identifying and resecting the superior cervical ganglion.

Growing evidence suggests that the sympathetic nervous system plays an important role in cancer progression. Adrenergic innervation regulates salivary ...

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JoVE Journal

Cancer Research

4.0K Views.  Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. The present protocol describes a mouse model of the ablation of adrenergic innervation by identifying and resecting the superior cervical ganglion.

Video: Surgical Technique for Superior Cervical Ganglionectomy in a Murine Model

A Detailed Protocol for Characterizing the Murine C1498 Cell Line and its Associated Leukemia Mouse Model

The intravenous injection of C1498 cells into syngeneic or congenic mice has been performed since 1941. These injections result in the development of acute leukemia. However, the nature of this disease has not been well documented in the literature. Here, we provide a technical protocol for characterizing C1498 cells in vitro and for determining the nature of the induced leukemia in vivo. The first part of this procedure is focused on determining the hematopoietic lineage and the stage of differentiation of cultured C1498 cells. To achieve this, multi-parametric flow cytometric staining is used to detect hematopoietic cell markers. Immunofluorescence microscopy, cytochemistry and a May-Gr&#252;nwald Giemsa staining are then performed to assess the expression of myeloperoxidase, the activity of esterases and cellular morphology, respectively. The second part of this protocol is dedicated to describing the leukemia disease that is induced in vivo. The latter can be achieved by determining the frequencies of leukemic and inherent cells in the blood, hematopoietic organs (e.g., bone marrow and spleen) and non-lymphoid tissues (e.g., the liver and lungs) using specific staining and flow cytometry analyses. The nature of the leukemia is then confirmed using May-Gr&#252;nwald Giemsa staining and staining for specific esterases in the bone marrow. Here, we present the results that were obtained using this protocol in age-matched C1498- and PBS-injected mice.

This manuscript provides a technical procedure that can be used to characterize C1498 cell cultures in vitro and the acute leukemia induced in mice after their injection. Phenotypic and functional analyses are performed using flow cytometry, immunofluorescence microscopy, cytochemistry and May-Gr&#252;nwald Giemsa staining.

The intravenous injection of C1498 cells into syngeneic or congenic mice has been performed since 1941. These injections result in the development of ...

The Drosophila Imaginal Disc Tumor Model: Visualization and Quantification of Gene Expression and Tumor Invasiveness Using Genetic Mosaics

Drosophila melanogaster has emerged as a powerful experimental system for functional and mechanistic studies of tumor development and progression in the context of a whole organism. Sophisticated techniques to generate genetic mosaics facilitate induction of visually marked, genetically defined clones surrounded by normal tissue. The clones can be analyzed through diverse molecular, cellular and omics approaches. This study describes how to generate fluorescently labeled clonal tumors of varying malignancy in the eye/antennal imaginal discs (EAD) of Drosophila larvae using the Mosaic Analysis with a Repressible Cell Marker (MARCM) technique. It describes procedures how to recover the mosaic EAD and brain from the larvae and how to process them for simultaneous imaging of fluorescent transgenic reporters and antibody staining. To facilitate molecular characterization of the mosaic tissue, we describe a protocol for isolation of total RNA from the EAD. The dissection procedure is suitable to recover EAD and brains from any larval stage. The fixation and staining protocol for imaginal discs works with a number of transgenic reporters and antibodies that recognize Drosophila proteins. The protocol for RNA isolation can be applied to various larval organs, whole larvae, and adult flies. Total RNA can be used for profiling of gene expression changes using candidate or genome-wide approaches. Finally, we detail a method for quantifying invasiveness of the clonal tumors. Although this method has limited use, its underlying concept is broadly applicable to other quantitative studies where cognitive bias must be avoided.

The Drosophila Imaginal Disc Tumor Model: Visualization and Quantification of Gene Expression and Tumor Invasiveness Using Genetic Mosaics

This protocol demonstrates how to generate fluorescently marked, genetically defined clonal tumors in the Drosophila eye/antennal imaginal discs (EAD). It describes how to dissect the EAD and brain from the third instar larvae and how to process them to visualize and quantify gene expression changes and tumor invasiveness.

Drosophila melanogaster has emerged as a powerful experimental system for functional and mechanistic studies of tumor development and progression in the ...

Surgical Procedures and Methodology for a Preclinical Murine Model of De Novo Mammary Cancer Metastasis

A rate-limiting aspect of transgenic mouse models of mammary adenocarcinoma is that primary tumor burden in mammary tissue typically defines study end-points. Thus, studies focused on elucidating mechanisms of late-stage de novo metastasis are compromised, as are studies examining efficacy of anti-cancer therapies targeting mediators of metastasis in the adjuvant setting. Numerous murine mammary cancer models have been developed via targeted expression of dominant oncoproteins to mammary epithelial cells yielding models variably mimicking histopathologic and transcriptome-defined breast cancer subtypes common in women1. While much has been learned regarding the biology of mammary carcinogenesis with these models, their utility in identifying molecules regulating growth of late-stage metastasis are compromised as mice are typically euthanized at earlier time points due to significant primary tumor burden. Moreover, since a significant percentage of women diagnosed with breast cancer receive adjuvant therapy after surgical resection of primary tumors and prior to presence of detectable metastatic disease, preclinical models of de novo metastasis are urgently needed as platforms to evaluate new therapies aimed at targeting metastatic foci. To address these deficiencies, we developed a murine model of de novo mammary cancer metastasis, wherein primary mammary tumors are surgically resected, and metastatic foci subsequently develop over a 115 day post-surgical period. This long latency provides a tractable model to identify functionally significant regulators of metastatic progression in mice lacking primary tumor, as well as a model to evaluate preclinical therapeutic efficacy of agents aimed at blocking functionally significant molecules aiding metastatic tumor survival and growth.

Surgical Procedures and Methodology for a Preclinical Murine Model of De Novo Mammary Cancer Metastasis

Pre-clinical models evaluating adjuvant therapy targeting breast cancer metastasis are lacking. To address this, we developed a murine model of de novo pulmonary mammary adenocarcinoma metastasis, wherein therapies administered in the adjuvant setting (post surgical resection of primary tumors) can be evaluated for efficacy in impacting previously seeded pulmonary metastases.

A rate-limiting aspect of transgenic mouse models of mammary adenocarcinoma is that primary tumor burden in mammary tissue typically defines study ...

A Murine Orthotopic Bladder Tumor Model and Tumor Detection System

This protocol describes the generation of bladder tumors in female C57BL/6J mice using the murine bladder cancer cell line MB49, which has been modified to secrete human Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA), and the procedure for the confirmation of tumor implantation. In brief, mice are anesthetized using injectable drugs and are made to lay in the dorsal position. Urine is vacated from the bladder and 50 &#181;L of poly-L-lysine (PLL) is slowly instilled at a rate of 10 &#181;L/20 s using a 24 G IV catheter. It is left in the bladder for 20 min by stoppering the catheter. The catheter is removed and PLL is vacated by gentle pressure on the bladder. This is followed by instillation of the murine bladder cancer cell line (1 x 105 cells/50 &#181;L) at a rate of 10 &#181;L/20 s. The catheter is stoppered to prevent premature evacuation. After 1 h, the mice are revived with a reversal drug, and the bladder is vacated. The slow instillation rate is important, as it reduces vesico-ureteral reflux, which can cause tumors to occur in the upper urinary tract and in the kidneys. The cell line should be well re-suspended to reduce clumping of cells, as this can lead to uneven tumor sizes after implantation.
This technique induces tumors with high efficiency. Tumor growth is monitored by urinary PSA secretion. PSA marker monitoring is more reliable than ultrasound or fluorescence imaging for the detection of the presence of tumors in the bladder. Tumors in mice generally reach a maximum size that negatively impacts health by about 3 - 4 weeks if left untreated. By monitoring tumor growth, it is possible to differentiate mice that were cured from those that were not successfully implanted with tumors. With only end-point analysis, the latter may be mistakenly assumed to have been cured by therapy.

This protocol describes the generation of murine orthotopic bladder tumors in female C57BL/6J mice and the monitoring of tumor growth.

This protocol describes the generation of bladder tumors in female C57BL/6J mice using the murine bladder cancer cell line MB49, which has been modified ...

A Mouse Model of Fatigue Induced by Peripheral Irradiation

Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is a distressing and costly condition that often affects patients receiving cancer treatments, including radiation therapy. Here we describe a method using targeted peripheral irradiation to induce fatigue-like behavior in mice. With appropriate shielding, the irradiation targets the lower abdominal/pelvic region of the mouse, sparing the brain, in an effort to model radiation treatment received by individuals with pelvic cancers. We deliver an irradiation dose that is sufficient to induce fatigue-like behavior in mice, measured by voluntary wheel-running activity (VWRA), without causing obvious morbidity. Since wheel running is a normal, voluntary behavior in mice, its use should have little confounding effect on other behavioral tests or biological measures. Hence, wheel running can be used as a feasible outcome measure in understanding the behavioral and biological correlates of fatigue. CRF is a complex condition with frequent comorbidities, and likely has causes related both to cancer and its various treatments. The methods described in this paper are useful for investigating radiation-induced changes that contribute to the development of CRF and, more generally, to explore the biological networks that can explain the development and persistence of a peripherally-triggered but centrally-driven behavior like fatigue.

We describe a method using targeted peripheral irradiation to induce fatigue-like behavior in mice. The selected non-lethal irradiation dose leads to a week-long reduction in voluntary wheel-running activity.

Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is a distressing and costly condition that often affects patients receiving cancer treatments, including radiation therapy. ...

An In Vivo Murine Sciatic Nerve Model of Perineural Invasion

Cancer cells invade nerves through a process termed perineural invasion (PNI), in which cancer cells proliferate and migrate in the nerve microenvironment. This type of invasion is exhibited by a variety of cancer types, and very frequently is found in pancreatic cancer. The microscopic size of nerve fibers within mouse pancreas renders the study of PNI difficult in orthotopic murine models. Here, we describe a heterotopic in vivo model of PNI, where we inject syngeneic pancreatic cancer cell line Panc02-H7 into the murine sciatic nerve. In this model, sciatic nerves of anesthetized mice are exposed and injected with cancer cells. The cancer cells invade in the nerves proximally toward the spinal cord from the point of injection. The invaded sciatic nerves are then extracted and processed with OCT for frozen sectioning. H&amp;E and immunofluorescence staining of these sections allow quantification of both the degree of invasion and changes in protein expression. This model can be applied to a variety of studies on PNI given its versatility. Using mice with different genetic modifications and/or different types of cancer cells allows for investigation of the cellular and molecular mechanisms of PNI and for different cancer types. Furthermore, the effects of therapeutic agents on nerve invasion can be studied by applying treatment to these mice.

An In Vivo Murine Sciatic Nerve Model of Perineural Invasion

We describe an in vivo murine model of perineural invasion by injecting syngeneic pancreatic cancer cells into the sciatic nerve. The model allows for quantification of the extent of nerve invasion, and supports investigation of the cellular and molecular mechanisms of perineural invasion.

Cancer cells invade nerves through a process termed perineural invasion (PNI), in which cancer cells proliferate and migrate in the nerve ...

The Application of 1% Methylene Blue Dye As a Single Technique in Breast Cancer Sentinel Node Biopsy

In this study, we injected 1% methylene blue dye (MBD) into the subareolar or peritumoral space of the breast. In the case of breast conserving surgery (BCS), a separate incision in the lower axilla hairline was made to find the sentinel nodes (SNs). In mastectomy, the SNs were identified through the same mastectomy incision. The SNs were described as blue nodes or nodes with lymphatic blue channels. An anatomical landmark in the axilla was used to facilitate SNs identification. The SNs metastases were evaluated by intraoperative frozen section analysis and histopathology examination as it is a gold standard. Here, we described the MBD as the lone technique in breast cancer sentinel node biopsy (SNB) which could be useful when radioisotope tracer or patent or isosulfan blue dye (PBD) cannot be provided.

In Indonesia, sentinel node biopsy (SNB) is not routinely performed for breast cancer surgery because of the limitation to provide radioisotope tracer and isosulfan or patent blue dye (PBD). To overcome this obstacle, we applied 1% methylene blue dye (MBD) as a single agent to map the sentinel nodes (SNs).

In this study, we injected 1% methylene blue dye (MBD) into the subareolar or peritumoral space of the breast. In the case of breast conserving surgery ...

Longitudinal Intravital Imaging of Brain Tumor Cell Behavior in Response to an Invasive Surgical Biopsy

Biopsies are standard of care for cancer treatment and are clinically beneficial as they allow solid tumor diagnosis, prognosis, and personalized treatment determination. However, perturbation of the tumor architecture by biopsy and other invasive procedures has been associated with undesired effects on tumor progression, which need to be studied in depth to further improve the clinical benefit of these procedures. Conventional static approaches, which only provide a snapshot of the tumor, are limited in their ability to reveal the impact of biopsy on tumor cell behavior such as migration, a process closely related to tumor malignancy. In particular, tumor cell migration is the key in highly aggressive brain tumors, where local tumor dissemination makes total tumor resection virtually impossible. The development of multiphoton imaging and chronic imaging windows allows scientists to study this dynamic process in living animals over time. Here, we describe a method for the high-resolution longitudinal imaging of brain tumor cells before and after a biopsy in the same living animal. This approach makes it possible to study the impact of this procedure on tumor cell behavior (migration, invasion, and proliferation). Furthermore, we discuss the advantages and limitations of this technique, as well as the ability of this methodology to study changes in the cancer cell behavior for other surgical interventions, including tumor resection or the implantation of chemotherapy wafers.

Here we describe a method for high-resolution time-lapse multiphoton imaging of brain tumor cells before and after invasive surgical intervention (e.g., biopsy) within the same living animal. This method allows studying the impact of these invasive surgical procedures on tumor cells&#39; migratory, invasive, and proliferative behavior at a single cell level.

Biopsies are standard of care for cancer treatment and are clinically beneficial as they allow solid tumor diagnosis, prognosis, and personalized ...

A 3D Spheroid Model for Glioblastoma

Two-dimensional (2D) cell cultures do not mimic in vivo tumor growth satisfactorily. Therefore, three-dimensional (3D) culture spheroid models were developed. These models may be particularly important in the field of neuro-oncology. Indeed, brain tumors have the tendency to invade the healthy brain environment. We describe herein an ideal 3D glioblastoma spheroid-based assay that we developed to study tumor invasion. We provide all technical details and analytical tools to successfully perform this assay.

Here, we describe an easy-to-use invasion assay for glioblastoma. This assay is suitable for glioblastoma stem-like cells. A Fiji macro for easy quantification of invasion, migration, and proliferation is also described.

Two-dimensional (2D) cell cultures do not mimic in vivo tumor growth satisfactorily. Therefore, three-dimensional (3D) culture spheroid models were ...

An Orthotopic Resectional Mouse Model of Pancreatic Cancer

There is a lack of satisfactory animal models to study adjuvant and/or neoadjuvant therapy in patients being considered for surgery of pancreatic cancer (PC). To address this deficiency, we describe a mouse model involving orthotopic implantation of PC followed by distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy. The model has been demonstrated to be safe and suitably flexible for the study of various therapeutic approaches in adjuvant and neo adjuvant settings.
In this model, a pancreatic tumor is first generated by implanting a mixture of human pancreatic cancer cells (luciferase-tagged AsPC-1) and human cancer associated pancreatic stellate cells into the distal pancreas of Balb/c athymic nude mice. After three weeks, the cancer is resected by re-laparotomy, distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy. In this model, bioluminescence imaging can be used to follow the progress of cancer development and effects of resection/treatments. Following resection, adjuvant therapy can be given. Alternatively, neoadjuvant treatment can be given prior to resection.
Representative data from 45 mice are presented. All mice underwent successful distal pancreatectomy/splenectomy with no issues of hemostasis. A macroscopic proximal pancreatic margin greater than 5 mm was achieved in 43 (96%) mice. The technical success rate of pancreatic resection was 100%, with 0% early mortality and morbidity. None of the animals died during the week after resection.
In summary, we describe a robust and reproducible technique for a surgical resection model of pancreatic cancer in mice which mimics the clinical scenario. The model may be useful for the testing of both adjuvant and neoadjuvant treatments.

In the clinical context, patients with localized pancreatic cancer will undergo pancreatectomy followed by adjuvant treatment. This protocol reported here aims to establish a safe and effective method of modelling this clinical scenario in nude mice, through orthotopic implantation of pancreatic cancer followed by distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy.

There is a lack of satisfactory animal models to study adjuvant and/or neoadjuvant therapy in patients being considered for surgery of pancreatic cancer ...