This work was supported by the NIH grant P01 AI 068730 (SNC, NS), the NIH grant CA016520/ TAPITMAT (NS), the private funding from the Claneil Foundation (NS), and the ovarian SPORE grant to FCCC and University of Pennsylvania (P50 CA83638) and the Fox Chase Cancer Center Core Grant (P30 CA06927) (DCC). The authors thank the excellent technical assistance of the Optical/Bioluminescence Core Facility directed by Dr. E.J. Delikatny at the University of Pennsylvania, Anthony Secreto from the Stem Cell and Xenograft Core directed by Dr. G. Danet-Desnoyers at the University of Pennsylvania Cancer Center for training SNC to orthotopic injection technique and Denada Dangaj at the University of Pennsylvania/ OCRC for assisting on the surgery.

1. Cell Culture
<ol>
<li>	Before orthotopic injection, culture MOV1Kat cells, derived from DR26 tumors, in a T175 flask until they are 90% confluent. Plan to use 1 to 5 million cells per injection, which will require 1 or 2 T175 flasks.</li>
<li>	On the day of the injection, harvest the cells and determine the cell number using a hemocytometer.</li>
<li>	Once the cell concentration has been determined, pellet the cells by centrifugation for 5 minutes at 300 X g at room temperature.</li>
<li>	Following the spin, resuspend the cells to have 1 million in 10 microliters of sterile PBS with 0.002 M EDTA</li>
</ol>

2. Pre-Surgery
<ol>
<li>	Prior to surgery, fill up a 3/10cc insulin syringe with 1 million MOV1-Kat cells in 10 microliters of PBS EDTA.</li>
<li>	Transfer an isofluorane anesthetized mouse to a heating pad. Add eye ointment to prevent eye dehydration. Then, immediately insert the animal's head into a nose cone system connected to an isoflurane vaporizer to deliver anesthesia throughout the surgery. </li>
<li>	After disinfection of the injection site with alcohol swabs, subcutaneously inject 5 mg/kg of Ketoprofen, a pre-surgical analgesic, with a 3/10cc Insulin syringe.</li>
<li>	Using clippers, shave the left caudal portion of the dorsum from the thoracolumbar junction to the base of the animal tail. Apply hair removal cream to completely remove the hair. Then, remove the excess with a wet paper towel.</li>
<li>	Once the hair has been removed, sterilize the shaved area with povidone-iodine and alcohol swabs. Then, place a surgical drape around the area of incision.</li>
</ol>

3. Surgery 
<ol>
<li>	Just before surgery, adjust the isoflurane vaporizer levels to 1.5%.</li>
<li>	Verify that the animal is completely anesthetized by pinching the foot pad.</li>
<li>	Next, locate the spleen under the skin. Then using surgical scissors, make a dorsolateral incision 1-2 cm long on the top right of the spleen.</li>
<li>	Dissect the retroperitoneum. The pad surrounding the mouse ovary will be observed. Use curved forceps to grasp and expose the fat pad surrounding the mouse ovary.</li>
<li>	Hydrate the organ with some drops of sterile PBS.</li>
<li>	Use curved forceps to grasp, retract...position...and then secure the ovary for injection </li>
<li>	While firmly grasping the ovary with the forceps, inject 10 microliters of MOV1Kat tumor cells into the ovary. A firm grasp will prevent fluid regurgitation or leakage.</li>
<li>	Immediately following injection, release the tension exerted by the forceps. The perforation in the ovary should spontaneously retract and close.</li>
<li>	Using an absorbable Polyglycolic Acid suture attached to a needle, close the retro-peritoneum wound.</li>
<li>	Release the animal from the nose cone.</li>
<li>	Stretch the skin and seal the dorsolateral wound edges with few drops of tissue adhesive.</li>
<li>	Finally, orally administer 100 microliters of antibiotics to the animal. Then place it back in its cage and monitor for recovery. Keep the animal on antibiotics in the drinking water for one week.</li>
</ol>

4. In vivo Imaging
<ol>
<li>	One week after the orthotopic injection of MOV1Kat tumor cells, perform in vivo imaging. Begin by transferring an isofluorane anesthetized mouse to the imaging chamber.</li>
<li>	Turn the isoflurane vaporizer level down to 2%.</li>
<li>	Perform in vivo imaging according to the imaging system manufacturer's instructions. In this video, the Lumina system will be used. </li>
<li>	To image, click the Living Image software desktop icon. Then, on the IVIS Acquisition Control Panel, select "Initialize". The instrument settings are analogous to a camera settings</li>
<li>	On the acquisition Control Panel set up the instrument's acquisition parameters. For fluorescence, check "Fluorescent." Click the Photograph box to acquire a photograph with each image.</li>
<li>	Next, set the exposure time as Auto. Under "Pixel binning or CCD resolution", check "Medium". Then Under F/stop or aperture, check the value of 2. Next, select the 535 excitation filter and the DsRed emission filter.</li>
<li>	Under field of view, click on View B to image a single mouse.</li>
<li>	Then, click on acquire to begin the image acquisition.</li>
<li>	Once the image acquisition is complete, use the Region of Interest, or ROI, tool to measure of the signal. Click on the measurement icon to release the signal values and area.</li>
<li>	Finally, click on "save" to save the image in the user folder</li>
<li>	After the images have been saved, stop the administration of isoflurane and return the mouse to its cage. The mouse should wake up immediately.</li>
</ol>
5. Representative Results
-Using this protocol, the in vivo growth of an orthotopic ovarian cancer can be monitored for at least 3 weeks using a non-invasive procedure.
<img src="/files/ftp_upload/2146/2146fig1.jpg" alt="Figure 1" /> 
Figure 1. MOV1Kat cells, or PBS as negative control, were orthotopically injected into the ovary of non-tumor prone mice (right animal and left animal and respectively). In vivo imaging was performed 2 weeks later. The fluorescence emission generated by MOV1Kat cells engrafted in the ovary was measured and compared with that from negative control mouse.
<img src="/files/ftp_upload/2146/2146fig2.jpg" alt="Figure 2" /> 
Figure 2. Frozen sections of MOV1Kat ovarian tumors were stained with biotinylated anti-CD4 mAb followed by DAB substrate (dark brown) to detect tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (black arrow). Cells were counterstained with methyl-green to visualize cell nuclei (blue). Tumor cells (red arrows) were morphologically distinct from T cells. The slide appears magnified 40x.

<ol>
	<li>Etzioni, R., 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=The+case+for+early+detection.">The case for early detection.</a> Nat Rev Cancer. 3, 243-252 (2003).</li><li>Sasaroli, D., Coukos, G., Scholler, N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Beyond+CA125:+the+coming+of+age+of+ovarian+cancer+biomarkers.+Are+we+there+yet.">Beyond CA125: the coming of age of ovarian cancer biomarkers. Are we there yet.</a> Future Medicine. 3, 275-288 (2009).</li><li>Anderson, G. L., 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=Assessing+Lead+Time+of+Selected+Ovarian+Cancer+Biomarkers:+A+Nested+Case+Control+Study.">Assessing Lead Time of Selected Ovarian Cancer Biomarkers: A Nested Case Control Study.</a> J Natl Cancer Inst. 102, 26-38 (2010).</li><li>Auersperg, N., Wong, A. S., Choi, K. C., Kang, S. K., Leung, P. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Ovarian+surface+epithelium:+biology,+endocrinology,+and+pathology.">Ovarian surface epithelium: biology, endocrinology, and pathology.</a> Endocr Rev 22. , 255-288 (2001).</li><li>Dubeau, L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+cell+of+origin+of+ovarian+epithelial+tumours.">The cell of origin of ovarian epithelial tumours.</a> Lancet Oncol. 9, 1191-1197 (2008).</li><li>Connolly, D. 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=Female+mice+chimeric+for+expression+of+the+simian+virus+40+TAg+under+control+of+the+MISIIR+promoter+develop+epithelial+ovarian+cancer.">Female mice chimeric for expression of the simian virus 40 TAg under control of the MISIIR promoter develop epithelial ovarian cancer.</a> Cancer Res. 63, 1389-1397 (2003).</li><li>Hensley, H., 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=Magnetic+resonance+imaging+for+detection+and+determination+of+tumor+volume+in+a+genetically+engineered+mouse+model+of+ovarian+cancer.">Magnetic resonance imaging for detection and determination of tumor volume in a genetically engineered mouse model of ovarian cancer.</a> Cancer Biol Ther. 6, (2007).</li><li>Deliolanis, N. 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=Performance+of+the+red-shifted+fluorescent+proteins+in+deep-tissue+molecular+imaging+applications.">Performance of the red-shifted fluorescent proteins in deep-tissue molecular imaging applications.</a> J Biomed Opt. 13, (2008).</li><li>Hoffman, R. M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+better+fluorescent+protein+for+whole-body+imaging.">A better fluorescent protein for whole-body imaging.</a> Trends Biotechnol. 26, (2008).</li><li>Shcherbo, 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=far-red+fluorescent+protein+for+whole-body+imaging.">far-red fluorescent protein for whole-body imaging.</a> Nat Methods. 4, 741-746 (2007).</li><li>Fu, X., Hoffman, R. 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No conflicts of interest declared.

Surgery and Orthotopic injections
Orthotopic injection in ovarian bursa demands training and precision. Thus
<ol>
<li>	In case of poor surgical experience, practice with cadavers first.</li>
<li>	Use preferentially multiparous females (one or two litters) as they develop bigger ovaries over time which facilitates injection and increase survival to compare with nulliparous females.</li>
<li>	Due to the small size of the mouse ovarian bursa, the use of the smallest available needle size i...

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		<div>
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		<tr>
		<th>Material Name</th>
		<th>Type</th>
		<th>Company</th>
		<th>Catalogue Number</th>
		<th>Comment</th>
		</tr>
		</thead>
		<tbody>
		
<tr>
<td>DMEM-GLUTAMAX</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Invitrogen</td>
<td>10564-011</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>PBS</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Gibco</td>
<td>14040</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Versene</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Lonza</td>
<td>17-711E</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Heating pad</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Deltaphase</td>
<td>39 DP</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Povidone pads</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Dynarex</td>
<td>1108</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Alcohol pads</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Fisher</td>
<td>06-669-62</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Artificial tears ointment </td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Phoenix Pharma., Inc.</td>
<td>17845-153</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Ketoprofen</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Fort Dodge laboratories</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>3cc/insulin syringe</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>BD</td>
<td>309301</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Polyg Polyglycolic Acid suture/needle (3/8 19mm)</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Syneture</td>
<td>9612-31</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Tissue adhesive</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Vetbond</td>
<td>3M</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Vet Bactrim/ oral suspension</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Hi-tech Pharmacal</td>
<td>840823</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>IVIS-Lumina</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Caliper lifesciences</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Isofluorane</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Phoenix Pharma., Inc.</td>
<td>J108013</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Fetal Bovine Serum, Qualified</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Invitrogen</td>
<td>10437036</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>Penicillin/streptomycin</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Gibco</td>
<td>15140</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>TurboFP635 mammalian vector</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>Evrogen</td>
<td>FP721</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<tr>
<td>T175 flasks</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>
<td>cellstar</td>
<td>660-190</td>
<td>&nbsp;</td>		</tbody>
		</table>
		</div>

an orthotopic model of serous ovarian cancer in immunocompetent mice for in vivo tumor imaging and monitoring of tumor immune responses

Background: Ovarian cancer is generally diagnosed at an advanced stage where the case/fatality ratio is high and thus remains the most lethal of all gynecologic malignancies among US women 1,2,3. Serous tumors are the most widespread forms of ovarian cancer and 4,5 the Tg-MISIIR-TAg transgenic represents the only mouse model that spontaneously develops this type of tumors. Tg-MISIIR-TAg mice express SV40 transforming region under control of the Mullerian Inhibitory Substance type II Receptor (MISIIR) gene promoter 6. Additional transgenic lines have been identified that express the SV40 TAg transgene, but do not develop ovarian tumors. Non-tumor prone mice exhibit typical lifespan for C57Bl/6 mice and are fertile. These mice can be used as syngeneic allograft recipients for tumor cells isolated from Tg-MISIIR-TAg-DR26 mice.
Objective: Although tumor imaging is possible 7, early detection of deep tumors is challenging in small living animals. To enable preclinical studies in an immunologically intact animal model for serous ovarian cancer, we describe a syngeneic mouse model for this type of ovarian cancer that permits in vivo imaging, studies of the tumor microenvironment and tumor immune responses.
Methods: We first derived a TAg+ mouse cancer cell line (MOV1) from a spontaneous ovarian tumor harvested in a 26 week-old DR26 Tg-MISIIR-TAg female. Then, we stably transduced MOV1 cells with TurboFP635 Lentivirus mammalian vector that encodes Katushka, a far-red mutant of the red fluorescent protein from sea anemone Entacmaea quadricolor with excitation/emission maxima at 588/635 nm 8,9,10. We orthotopically implanted MOV1Kat in the ovary 11,12,13,14 of non-tumor prone Tg-MISIIR-TAg female mice. Tumor progression was followed by in vivo optical imaging and tumor microenvironment was analyzed by immunohistochemistry.
Results: Orthotopically implanted MOV1Kat cells developed serous ovarian tumors. MOV1Kat tumors could be visualized by in vivo imaging up to three weeks after implantation (fig. 1) and were infiltrated with leukocytes, as observed in human ovarian cancers 15 (fig. 2).
Conclusions: We describe an orthotopic model of ovarian cancer suitable for in vivo imaging of early tumors due to the high pH-stability and photostability of Katushka in deep tissues. We propose the use of this novel syngeneic model of serous ovarian cancer for in vivo imaging studies and monitoring of tumor immune responses and immunotherapies.

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about An Orthotopic Model of Serous Ovarian Cancer in Immunocompetent Mice for in vivo Tumor Imaging and Monitoring of Tumor Immune Responses at JoVE.com

An Orthotopic Model of Serous Ovarian Cancer in Immunocompetent Mice for in vivo Tumor Imaging and Monitoring of Tumor Immune Responses

To study in vivo tumor growth and tumor microenvironment, we used a syngeneic and orthotopic mouse model of ovarian cancer in immunocompetent animals. We transduced a mouse tumor cell line (MOV1) with Katushka fluorescent protein (MOV1KAT) and here we show its orthotopic implantation in ovary and in vivo imaging.

An Orthotopic Model of Serous Ovarian Cancer in Immunocompetent Mice for in vivo Tumor Imaging and Monitoring of Tumor Immune Responses

Background: Ovarian cancer is generally diagnosed at an advanced stage where the case/fatality ratio is high and thus remains the most lethal of all ...

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JoVE Journal

Immunology and Infection

18.1K Views.  University of Pennsylvania-School of Medicine. To study in vivo tumor growth and tumor microenvironment, we used a syngeneic and orthotopic mouse model of ovarian cancer in immunocompetent animals. We transduced a mouse tumor cell line (MOV1) with Katushka fluorescent protein (MOV1KAT) and here we show its orthotopic implantation in ovary and in vivo imaging. 

Video: An Orthotopic Model of Serous Ovarian Cancer in Immunocompetent Mice for in vivo Tumor Imaging and Monitoring of Tumor Immune Responses

Murine Experimental Model of Original Tumor Development and Peritoneal Metastasis via Orthotopic Inoculation with Ovarian Carcinoma Cells

Epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC) is associated with a poor prognosis because it shows peritoneal dissemination. To improve the prognosis, it is important to control peritoneal dissemination. However, it is still unclear how tumor cells detach from primary lesions and attach to the mesothelium. The establishment of an appropriate animal model is needed to gain an understanding of the mechanism of peritoneal dissemination in vivo. In the current study, we introduce the process from the local injection of EOC cells into the murine ovarian surface to the development of metastasis, including the peritoneum and distant organs. Female nude mice (BALB/c nu/nu) at 8 weeks of age were used. Under a microscopic field of view, EOC cells (1 x 105 cells/&#181;l of medium-extracellular matrix (ECM)-based hydrogel/unilateral ovary/mouse) were injected into murine ovaries through a retroperitoneal approach from the dorsal flank. This proposed method is a less invasive procedure for the mouse and minimizes damage to the ovary. Here, we describe the methodological steps in the development of the original and metastatic tumor formation of EOC.

Murine Experimental Model of Original Tumor Development and Peritoneal Metastasis via Orthotopic Inoculation with Ovarian Carcinoma Cells

To clarify the multistep process of peritoneal dissemination of ovarian carcinoma, the current study presents a murine experimental model of original tumor development and peritoneal metastasis via orthotopic inoculation with these tumor cells.

Epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC) is associated with a poor prognosis because it shows peritoneal dissemination. To improve the prognosis, it is ...

Cancer Research

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 ...

Intramucosal Inoculation of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cells in Mice for Tumor Immune Profiling and Treatment Response Assessment

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a debilitating and deadly disease with a high prevalence of recurrence and treatment failure. To develop better therapeutic strategies, understanding tumor microenvironmental factors that contribute to the treatment resistance is important. A major impediment to understanding disease mechanisms and improving therapy has been a lack of murine cell lines that resemble the aggressive and metastatic nature of human HNSCCs. Furthermore, a majority of murine models employ subcutaneous implantations of tumors which lack important physiological features of the head and neck region, including high vascular density, extensive lymphatic vasculature, and resident mucosal flora. The purpose of this study is to develop and characterize an orthotopic model of HNSCC. We employ two genetically distinct murine cell lines and established tumors in the buccal mucosa of mice. We optimize collagenase-based tumor digestion methods for the optimal recovery of single cells from established tumors. The data presented here show that mice develop highly vascularized tumors that metastasize to regional lymph nodes. Single-cell multiparametric mass cytometry analysis shows the presence of diverse immune populations with myeloid cells representing the majority of all immune cells. The model proposed in this study has applications in cancer biology, tumor immunology, and preclinical development of novel therapeutics. The resemblance of the orthotopic model to clinical features of human disease will provide a tool for enhanced translation and improved patient outcomes.

Here we present a reproducible method for developing an orthotopic murine model of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Tumors demonstrate clinically relevant histopathological features of the disease, including necrosis, poor differentiation, nodal metastases, and immune infiltration. Tumor-bearing mice develop clinically relevant symptoms including dysphagia, jaw displacement, and weight loss.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a debilitating and deadly disease with a high prevalence of recurrence and treatment failure. To develop ...

An Orthotopic Mouse Model of Ovarian Cancer using Human Stroma to Promote Metastasis

Ovarian cancer is characterized by early, diffuse metastasis with 70% of women having metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis. While elegant transgenic mouse models of ovarian cancer exist, these mice are expensive and take a long time to develop tumors. Intraperitoneal injection xenograft models lack human stroma and do not accurately model ovarian cancer metastasis. Even patient derived xenografts (PDX) do not fully recapitulate the human stromal microenvironment as serial PDX passages demonstrate significant loss of human stroma. The ability to easily model human ovarian cancer within a physiologically relevant stromal microenvironment is an unmet need. Here, the protocol presents an orthotopic ovarian cancer mouse model using human ovarian cancer cells combined with patient-derived carcinoma-associated mesenchymal stem cells (CA-MSCs). CA-MSCs are stromal progenitor cells, which drive the formation of the stromal microenvironment and support ovarian cancer growth and metastasis. This model develops early and diffuses metastasis mimicking clinical presentation. In this model, luciferase expressing ovarian cancer cells are mixed in a 1:1 ratio with CA-MSCs and injected into the ovarian bursa of NSG mice. Tumor growth and metastasis are followed serially over time using bioluminescence imaging. The resulting tumors grow aggressively and form abdominal metastases by 14 days post injection. Mice experienced significant decreases in body weight as a marker of systemic illness and increased disease burden. By day 30 post injection, mice met endpoint criteria of &gt;10% body weight loss and necropsy confirmed intra-abdominal metastasis in 100% of mice and 60%-80% lung and parenchymal liver metastasis. Collectively, orthotopic engraftment of ovarian cancer cells and stroma cells generates tumors that closely mimic the early and diffuse metastatic behavior of human ovarian cancer. Furthermore, this model provides a tool to study the role of ovarian cancer cell: stroma cell interactions in metastatic progression.

Orthotopic engraftment of ovarian cancer cells mixed with human stromal cells provides a mouse model that exhibits rapid, diffuse metastatic behavior that is characteristic of human ovarian cancer. This model also allows for the study of tumor cell and stromal cell interactions, as well as their role in tumor progression and metastasis.

Ovarian cancer is characterized by early, diffuse metastasis with 70% of women having metastatic disease at the time of diagnosis. While elegant ...

In Vivo Imaging to Measure Spontaneous Lung Metastasis of Orthotopically-injected Breast Tumor Cells

Metastasis remains the primary cause of cancer-related death. The succession of events that characterize the metastatic cascade presents multiple opportunities for therapeutic intervention, and the ability to accurately model them in mice is critical to evaluate their effects. Here, a step-by-step protocol is presented for the establishment of orthotopic primary breast tumors and the subsequent monitoring of the establishment and growth of metastatic lesions in the lung using in vivo bioluminescence imaging. This methodology allows for the evaluation of treatment or its biological effects along the entire range of metastatic development, from primary tumor escape to outgrowth in the lungs. Breast orthotopic tumors are generated in mice via injection of a luciferase-labeled cell suspension in the 4th mammary gland. Tumors are allowed to grow and disseminate for a specific amount of time and are then surgically resected. Upon resection, spontaneous lung metastasis is detected, and the growth over time is monitored using in vivo bioluminescence imaging. At the desired experimental endpoint, lung tissue can be collected for downstream analysis. The treatment of established, clinically evident metastasis is critical to improve outcomes for stage IV cancer patients, and it can be evaluated through tail vein models of experimental lung metastasis. However, metastatic dissemination occurs early in breast cancer, and many patients have latent, subclinical disseminated disease after surgery. Utilization of spontaneous models such as this one provides the opportunity to study the whole spectrum of the disease, especially the systemic effects driven by treatment of the primary tumor such as pre-metastatic niche priming, and evaluate treatments on dormant and subclinical disease after surgery.

In Vivo Imaging to Measure Spontaneous Lung Metastasis of Orthotopically-injected Breast Tumor Cells

The manuscript describes a methodology for the establishment as well as longitudinal growth monitoring of spontaneous lung metastasis from orthotopically-injected breast tumors, amenable to intervention at all stages of the metastatic cascade.

Metastasis remains the primary cause of cancer-related death. The succession of events that characterize the metastatic cascade presents multiple ...

Murine Model for Non-invasive Imaging to Detect and Monitor Ovarian Cancer Recurrence

Epithelial ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecologic malignancy in the United States. Although patients initially respond to the current standard of care consisting of surgical debulking and combination chemotherapy consisting of platinum and taxane compounds, almost 90% of patients recur within a few years. In these patients the development of chemoresistant disease limits the efficacy of currently available chemotherapy agents and therefore contributes to the high mortality. To discover novel therapy options that can target recurrent disease, appropriate animal models that closely mimic the clinical profile of patients with recurrent ovarian cancer are required. The challenge in monitoring intra-peritoneal (i.p.) disease limits the use of i.p. models and thus most xenografts are established subcutaneously. We have developed a sensitive optical imaging platform that allows the detection and anatomical location of i.p. tumor mass. The platform includes the use of optical reporters that extend from the visible light range to near infrared, which in combination with 2-dimensional X-ray co-registration can provide anatomical location of molecular signals. Detection is significantly improved by the use of a rotation system that drives the animal to multiple angular positions for 360 degree imaging, allowing the identification of tumors that are not visible in single orientation. This platform provides a unique model to non-invasively monitor tumor growth and evaluate the efficacy of new therapies for the prevention or treatment of recurrent ovarian cancer.

We describe a non-invasive animal imaging platform that allows the detection, quantification, and monitoring of ovarian cancer growth and recurrence. This intra-peritoneal xenograft model mimics the clinical profile of patients with ovarian cancer.

Epithelial ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecologic malignancy in the United States. Although patients initially respond to the current standard of ...

Medicine

In vivo Imaging and Therapeutic Treatments in an Orthotopic Mouse Model of Ovarian Cancer

Human cancer and response to therapy is better represented in orthotopic animal models. This paper describes the development of an orthotopic mouse model of ovarian cancer, treatment of cancer via oral delivery of drugs, and monitoring of tumor cell behavior in response to drug treatment in real time using in vivo imaging system. In this orthotopic model, ovarian tumor cells expressing luciferase are applied topically by injecting them directly into the mouse bursa where each ovary is enclosed. Upon injection of D-luciferin, a substrate of firefly luciferase, luciferase-expressing cells generate bioluminescence signals. This signal is detected by the in vivo imaging system and allows for a non-invasive means of monitoring tumor growth, distribution, and regression in individual animals. Drug administration via oral gavage allows for a maximum dosing volume of 10 mL/kg body weight to be delivered directly to the stomach and closely resembles delivery of drugs in clinical treatments. Therefore, techniques described here, development of an orthotopic mouse model of ovarian cancer, oral delivery of drugs, and in vivo imaging, are useful for better understanding of human ovarian cancer and treatment and will improve targeting this disease.

In vivo Imaging and Therapeutic Treatments in an Orthotopic Mouse Model of Ovarian Cancer

Orthotopic animal models of ovarian cancer replicate better human disease and therefore enhance our understanding of cancer progression and tumor response to therapy. A mouse model receives an intrabursal injection of luciferase-expressing ovarian tumor cells. Treatment is administered via oral gavage. Tumor growth is monitored by in vivo imaging system.

Human cancer and response to therapy is better represented in orthotopic animal models.  This paper describes the development of an orthotopic mouse model ...

Biology

Quantitation of Intra-peritoneal Ovarian Cancer Metastasis

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the leading cause of death from gynecologic malignancy in the United States. Mortality is due to diagnosis of 75% of women with late stage disease, when metastasis is already present. EOC is characterized by diffuse and widely disseminated intra-peritoneal metastasis. Cells shed from the primary tumor anchor in the mesothelium that lines the peritoneal cavity as well as in the omentum, resulting in multi-focal metastasis, often in the presence of peritoneal ascites. Efforts in our laboratory are directed at a more detailed understanding of factors that regulate EOC metastatic success. However, quantifying metastatic tumor burden represents a significant technical challenge due to the large number, small size and broad distribution of lesions throughout the peritoneum. Herein we describe a method for analysis of EOC metastasis using cells labeled with red fluorescent protein (RFP) coupled with in vivo multispectral imaging. Following intra-peritoneal injection of RFP-labelled tumor cells, mice are imaged weekly until time of sacrifice. At this time, the peritoneal cavity is surgically exposed and organs are imaged in situ. Dissected organs are then placed on a labeled transparent template and imaged ex vivo. Removal of tissue auto-fluorescence during image processing using multispectral unmixing enables accurate quantitation of relative tumor burden. This method has utility in a variety of applications including therapeutic studies to evaluate compounds that may inhibit metastasis and thereby improve overall survival.

Ovarian cancer metastasis is characterized by numerous diffuse intra-peritoneal lesions, such that accurate visual quantitation of tumor burden is challenging. Herein we describe a method for in situ and ex vivo quantitation of metastatic tumor burden using red fluorescent protein (RFP)-labeled tumor cells and optical imaging.

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the leading cause of death from gynecologic malignancy in the United States.  Mortality is due to diagnosis of 75% of ...

Orthotopic Inoculation of Ovarian Cancer Cells into Murine Ovary: A Procedure to Establish an Ovarian Cancer Mouse Model to Study Peritoneal Dissemination of Cells

Source: Koya, Y. et al. <a href="https://www.jove.com/t/54353">Murine Experimental Model of Original Tumor Development and Peritoneal Metastasis via Orthotopic Inoculation with Ovarian Carcinoma Cells.</a> J. Vis. Exp. (2016)
This video describes the protocol for creating a murine experimental model to study tumor development and peritoneal metastasis. This ovarian cancer model is generated by the orthotopic inoculation of human epithelial ovarian cancer cells into the ovaries of a female mouse.

Source: Koya, Y. et al. Murine Experimental Model of Original Tumor Development and Peritoneal Metastasis via Orthotopic Inoculation with Ovarian ...

JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments

Gynecologic Cancer

Animal model studies

A Technique to Assess the In Vivo Localization of Tumor-Specific Antibodies

Source: Shivange, G., et al. <a href="https://app.jove.com/v/60727">Analyzing Tumor and Tissue Distribution of Target Antigen Specific Therapeutic Antibody.</a> J. Vis. Exp. (2020).
This video demonstrates a technique to study the in vivo localization of tumor-specific antibodies in a mouse tumor xenograft model. Upon subcutaneously injecting cancer cells into mice for tumor formation, fluorescently-labeled antibodies are injected that bind to tumor-specific receptors, enabling in vivo assessment of antibody localization via imaging.

All procedures involving animal models have been reviewed by the local institutional animal care committee and the JoVE veterinary review board.
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