Cells from the SW1353 chondrosarcoma cell line were kindly provided by Prof. Dr. P.C.W. Hogendoorn and Prof. Dr. J. Bov&eacute;e of Leiden University, The Netherlands. We thank J. Mestach and G. Wagemans for excellent technical assistance, and G. De Bruyne for the professional drawing of the overview of our protocol.

See Figure 1 for an overview.
Tumor material
1. Obtaining and Preparing Tumor Samples
For the use of patient material, approval of the Ethical Committee is necessary, and informed consent has to be obtained from the patient.
<ol>
 <li>Harvest representative material (minimum 1 cm3) at the time of intervention, either a biopsy or a resection of a sarcoma. The proper site of biopsy is defined using dynamic-contras...

<ol>
	<li>Mankin, H. J., Hornicek, F. I., Rosenberg, A. E., Harmon, D. C., Gebhardt, M. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Survival+data+for+648+patients+with+osteosarcoma+treated+at+one+institution.">Survival data for 648 patients with osteosarcoma treated at one institution.</a> Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research. 429, 286-291 (2004).</li><li>Hoffmann, J., Schmidt-Peter, P., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Anticancer+drug+sensitivity+and+expression+of+multidrug+resistance+markers+in+early+passage+human+sarcomas.">Anticancer drug sensitivity and expression of multidrug resistance markers in early passage human sarcomas.</a> Clinical Cancer Research. 5, 2198-2204 (1999).</li><li>Greenlee, R. T., Hill-Harmon, M. B., Murray, T., Thun, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cancer+statistics,+2001.">Cancer statistics, 2001.</a> CA A Cancer Journal for Clinicians. 51, 15-36 (2001).</li><li>Gil-Benso, R., Lopez-Gines, C., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Establishment+and+characterisation+of+a+continuous+human+chondrosarcoma+cell+line,+ch-2879:+Comparative+histologic+and+genetic+studies+with+its+tumor+of+origin.">Establishment and characterisation of a continuous human chondrosarcoma cell line, ch-2879: Comparative histologic and genetic studies with its tumor of origin.</a> Laboratory Investigations. 83, 877-887 (2003).</li><li>Taylor, B. S., Barretina, J., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Advances+in+sarcoma+genomics+and+new+therpeutic+targets.">Advances in sarcoma genomics and new therpeutic targets.</a> Nature Reviews Cancer. 11, 541-557 (2011).</li><li>Skubitz, K. M., D'Adamo, D. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Sarcoma.">Sarcoma.</a> Mayo Clinic Proceedings. 82, 1409-1432 (2007).</li><li>Nielsen, T. O., West, R. B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Translating+gene+expression+into+clinical+cara:+sarcomas+as+a+paradigm.">Translating gene expression into clinical cara: sarcomas as a paradigm.</a> Journal of Clinical Oncology. 28, 1796-1805 (2010).</li><li>Vaira, V., Fedele, G., Pyne, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Preclinical+model+of+organotypic+culture+for+pharmacodynamic+profiling+of+human+tumors.">Preclinical model of organotypic culture for pharmacodynamic profiling of human tumors.</a> Proceedings of the National Academy of Science USA. 107, 8352-8356 (2010).</li><li>DeRose, Y. S., Wang, G., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Tumor+grafts+derived+from+women+with+breast+cancer+authentically+reflect+tumor+pathology,+growth,+metastasis+and+disease+outcomes.">Tumor grafts derived from women with breast cancer authentically reflect tumor pathology, growth, metastasis and disease outcomes.</a> Nature Medicine. 17, 1514-1520 (2011).</li><li>Tentler, J. J., Tan, A. C., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Patient-derived+tumour+xenografts+as+models+for+oncology+drug+development.">Patient-derived tumour xenografts as models for oncology drug development.</a> Nature Reviews Clinical Oncology. 9, 338-350 (2012).</li><li>Bertotti, A., Migliardi, G., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+molecularly+annotated+platform+of+patient-derived+xenografts+("xenopatients")+identifies+HER2+as+an+effective+therapeutic+target+in+cetuximab-resistant+colorectal+cancer.">A molecularly annotated platform of patient-derived xenografts ("xenopatients") identifies HER2 as an effective therapeutic target in cetuximab-resistant colorectal cancer.</a> Cancer Discovery. 1, 508-523 (2011).</li><li>Decaudin, D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Primary+human+tumor+xenografted+models+('tumorgrafts')+for+good+management+of+patients+with+cancer.">Primary human tumor xenografted models ('tumorgrafts') for good management of patients with cancer.</a> Anticancer Drugs. 22, 827-841 (2011).</li><li>Hanahan, D., Weinberg, R. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Hallmarks+of+cancer:+The+next+generation.">Hallmarks of cancer: The next generation.</a> Cell. 144, 646-674 (2011).</li><li>Sys, G., Van Bockstal, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Tumor+grafts+derived+from+sarcoma+patients+tumor+morphology,+viability,+and+invasion+potential+and+indicate+disease+outcomes+in+the+chick+chorioallantoic+membrane+model.">Tumor grafts derived from sarcoma patients tumor morphology, viability, and invasion potential and indicate disease outcomes in the chick chorioallantoic membrane model.</a> Cancer Letters. 326, 69-78 (2012).</li><li>Armstrong, P. B., Quigley, J. P., Sidebottom, E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Transepithelial+invasion+and+intramesenchymal+infiltration+of+the+chick+embryo+chorioallantois+by+tumor+cell+lines.">Transepithelial invasion and intramesenchymal infiltration of the chick embryo chorioallantois by tumor cell lines.</a> Cancer Research. 42, 1826-1837 (1982).</li><li>Deryugina, E., Quigly, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Chick+embryo+chorioallantoic+membrane+model+systems+to+study+and+visualize+human+tumor+cell+metastasis.">Chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane model systems to study and visualize human tumor cell metastasis.</a> Histochemistry and Cell Biology. 130, 1119-1130 (2008).</li><li>Knighton, D., Ausprunk, D., Tapper, D., Folkman, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Avascular+and+vascular+phases+of+tumor+growth+in+the+chick+embryo.">Avascular and vascular phases of tumor growth in the chick embryo.</a> British Journal of Cancer. 35, 347-356 (1977).</li><li>Dohle, D. S., Pasa, S. D., Gustmann, S., Laub, M., Wissler, J. H., Jennissen, H. P., D&#252;nker, N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Chick+ex+ovo+culture+and+ex+ovo+CAM+assay:+how+it+really+works.">Chick ex ovo culture and ex ovo CAM assay: how it really works.</a> J. Vis. Exp. (33), e1620 (2009).</li><li>Balke, M., Neumann, A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Morphologic+characterization+of+osteosarcoma+growth+on+the+chick+chorioallantoic+membrane.">Morphologic characterization of osteosarcoma growth on the chick chorioallantoic membrane.</a> BMC Research Notes. 3, 58 (2010).</li><li>Hendrix, A., Maynard, D., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Effect+of+the+secretory+small+GTPase+Rab27B+on+breast+cancer+growth,+invasion,+and+metastasis.">Effect of the secretory small GTPase Rab27B on breast cancer growth, invasion, and metastasis.</a> Journal of the National Cancer Institute. 102, 866-880 (2010).</li><li>Ausprunk, D., Knighton, D., Folkman, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Vascularization+of+normal+and+neoplastic+tissues+grafted+to+the+chick+chorioallantois:+role+of+host+and+preexisting+graft+vessels.">Vascularization of normal and neoplastic tissues grafted to the chick chorioallantois: role of host and preexisting graft vessels.</a> American Journal of Pathology. 79, 597-618 (1975).</li><li>Lokman, N. A., Elder, A. S. F., Riciardelli, C., Oehler, M. K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Chick+Chorioallantoic+membrane+(CAM)+Assay+as+an+in+vivo+model+to+study+the+effect+of+newly+identified+molecules+on+ovarian+cancer+invasion+and+metastasis.">Chick Chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) Assay as an in vivo model to study the effect of newly identified molecules on ovarian cancer invasion and metastasis.</a> International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 13, 9959-9970 (2012).</li><li>Vargas, A., Zeisser-Labou&#232;be, M., Lange, N., Gurny, R., Delie, F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+chick+embryo+and+its+chorioallantoic+membrane+(CAM)+for+the+in+vivo+evaluation+of+drug+delivery+systems.">The chick embryo and its chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) for the in vivo evaluation of drug delivery systems.</a> Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews. 59, 1162-1176 (2007).</li><li>Hagedorn, M., Javerzat, S., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Accessing+key+steps+of+human+tumor+progression+in+vivo+by+using+an+avian+embryo+model.">Accessing key steps of human tumor progression in vivo by using an avian embryo model.</a> Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences U.S.A. 102, 1643-1648 (2005).</li><li>De Wever, O., Hendrix, A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Modeling+and+quantification+of+cancer+cell+invasion+through+collagen+type+I+matrices.">Modeling and quantification of cancer cell invasion through collagen type I matrices.</a> International Journal of Developmental Biology. 54, 887-896 (2010).</li><li>Albini, A., Benelli, R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+chemoinvasion+assay:+A+method+to+assess+tumor+and+endothelial+cell+invasion+and+its+modulation.">The chemoinvasion assay: A method to assess tumor and endothelial cell invasion and its modulation.</a> Nature Protocols. 2, 504-511 (2007).</li><li>Hanahan, D., Coussens, L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Accessories+to+the+crime:+functions+of+cells+recruited+to+the+tumor+microenvironment.">Accessories to the crime: functions of cells recruited to the tumor microenvironment.</a> Cancer Cell. 21, 309-322 (2012).</li></ol>

Authors have nothing to disclose.

Time of inoculation and harvest
Timing the day of inoculation was performed using SAOS2 in ECM gel (36 CAMs) and varied between embryonic development day 5 and 10.
Before incubation day 9, the CAM was not consistently large enough to support the ECM gel we applied. At harvest, tumor cells sometimes had to be retrieved from the deeper CAM, and some ECM gel samples were lying loose in the albumen or on the CAM. On days 5 and 6, it was hard to avoid putting the tumor ce...

Sarcoma is a rare tumor of the connective tissues with a high mortality due to therapy resistance1,2. Progress in patient survival is hampered by their low annual incidence, their broad diversity, and the fact that sarcoma cells are reported to be hard to culture in vitro3,4.
The use of cultured cells for preclinical therapy evaluation has revealed that new, apparently active molecules in vitro do not always reflect results in the clinical setting. Furthermore, genome aberrations revealed by gene expression arrays are not always correlated to tumor behavior characteristics in the individual patient5-7. In order to try and solve these problems, personalized medicine has gained in importance, which is reflected in the increased search for xenograft models8-12.
An in vivo assay has the advantage of reflecting the complex interplay between cancer cells and the host tissue environment in solid tumors, necessary for cancer proliferation and invasion13. Currently we study the use of the Chorio-Allantoic Membrane assay (CAM-assay) as a reproducible xenograft model for sarcoma14,15. This assay is widely used for the study of tumor angiogenesis16,17. In literature, however, we have found different protocols for this assay, while other studies observed a marked difference in growth or angiogenesis according to different protocols18,19.
In this article we investigate the effect of varying conditions of the CAM-assay on cell behavior using tumor grafts, tumor-derived single cell suspensions and established sarcoma cell cultures.

<table border="1">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>Name of Reagent</td>
			<td>Company</td>
			<td>Catalog Number</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cell Line Nucleofector Kit V</td>
			<td>Amaxa</td>
			<td>VCA-1003</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>collagenase 2 solution (500 U/ml RPMI 1640)</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td>C6885</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DMEM</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>41965-039</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DMSO</td>
			<td>Sigma</td>
			<td>D8418</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Dnase solution</td>
			<td>Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td>DN25</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>G418</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>11811031</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Matrigel</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>E1270</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>mouse primary monoclonal antibody Ki67</td>
			<td>Dako Denmark</td>
			<td>MIB-1</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Paraformaldehyde</td>
			<td>Fluka</td>
			<td>D76240</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PBS</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>20012019</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PBSD</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>14040083</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>peGFP-C1 vector</td>
			<td>Clontech</td>
			<td>632470</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Penicillin/streptomycin</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>15140163</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>RPMI</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>22409-015</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Trypsin-EDTA solution</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>25300054</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Vybrant cell-labeling DiI</td>
			<td>Lifetechnologies</td>
			<td>22885</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Name of Equipment</td>
			<td>Company</td>
			<td>Catalog Number</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Countess Automated Cell Counter</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>C10227</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>digital color camera</td>
			<td>Leica</td>
			<td>DFC 340 FX</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Digital Egg Incubator</td>
			<td>Auto Elex Co</td>
			<td>R-COM 50</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>FACS</td>
			<td>BD Biosciences</td>
			<td>FACSAriaIII</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Gentlemacs C-Tube</td>
			<td>Miltenyi Biotech</td>
			<td>130-093-237</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Gentlemacs Dissociator</td>
			<td>Miltenyi Biotech</td>
			<td>130-093-235</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Gentlemacs Dissociator User Manual containing h_tumor protocol</td>
			<td>Miltenyi Biotech</td>
			<td>&nbsp;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>semipermeable adhesive film (Suprasorb F)</td>
			<td>Lohmann&amp;Rauscher</td>
			<td>20468</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>stereo fluorescence microscope</td>
			<td>Leica</td>
			<td>M205 FA</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tissue-Tek Film automated Coverslipper</td>
			<td>Sakura</td>
			<td>6400</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>ultraView Universal DAB Detection Kit</td>
			<td>Ventana Medical Systems Inc</td>
			<td>760-500</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Ventana Automated Slide Stainer</td>
			<td>Ventana Medical Systems</td>
			<td>Benchmark XT</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

the in ovo cam-assay as a xenograft model for sarcoma

Sarcoma is a very rare disease that is heterogeneous in nature, all hampering the development of new therapies. Sarcoma patients are ideal candidates for personalized medicine after stratification, explaining the current interest in developing a reproducible and low-cost xenotransplant model for this disease. The chick chorioallantoic membrane is a natural immunodeficient host capable of sustaining grafted tissues and cells without species-specific restrictions. In addition, it is easily accessed, manipulated and imaged using optical and fluorescence stereomicroscopy. Histology further allows detailed analysis of heterotypic cellular interactions.
This protocol describes in detail the in ovo grafting of the chorioallantoic membrane with fresh sarcoma-derived tumor tissues, their single cell suspensions, and permanent and transient fluorescently labeled established sarcoma cell lines (Saos-2 and SW1353). The chick survival rates are up to 75%. The model is used to study graft- (viability, Ki67 proliferation index, necrosis, infiltration) and host (fibroblast infiltration, vascular ingrowth) behavior. For localized grafting of single cell suspensions, ECM gel provides significant advantages over inert containment materials. The Ki67 proliferation index is related to the distance of the cells from the surface of the CAM and the duration of application on the CAM, the latter determining a time frame for the addition of therapeutic products.

Evaluation of the CAM
Tumor grafts become adherent to the CAM (Figure 2A). Single cell suspensions from patient material frequently display a dried, slightly raised plaque (Figure 2D). After excision of the CAM, marked wrinkling of the membrane occurs (Figures 2E and 2F).
For the commercial cell lines the plaque becomes more opaque in time, indicating cell proliferation. Different cell lines in ECM gel...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about The In ovo CAM-assay as a Xenograft Model for Sarcoma at JoVE.com

The In ovo CAM-assay as a Xenograft Model for Sarcoma

The in ovo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) is grafted with fresh sarcoma-derived tumor tissues, their single cell suspensions, and permanent and transient fluorescently labeled established sarcoma cell lines. The model is used to study graft- (viability, Ki67 proliferation index, necrosis, infiltration) and host (fibroblast infiltration, vascular ingrowth) behavior.

The In ovo CAM-assay as a Xenograft Model for Sarcoma

Sarcoma is a very rare disease that is heterogeneous in nature, all hampering the development of new therapies. Sarcoma patients are ideal candidates for ...

the-in-ovo-cam-assay-as-a-xenograft-model-for-sarcoma

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25.2K Görüntüleme.  Ghent University Hospital.  Ovo Chorioallantoic membran (CAM), taze sarkomu türevli tümör dokuları, bunların tek hücre süspansiyonları, ve kalıcı ve geçici floresan etiketli Kurulan sarkoma hücre hatları ile aşılanır. Modeli greft-(canlılığı, Ki67 proliferasyon indeksi, nekroz, infiltrasyon) ve ev sahibi (fibroblast infiltrasyonu, vasküler yapıdaki) davranışlarını incelemek için kullanılır.