Dr. Keating is funded by DOD grant CA100335 and is a St. Baldrick&#8217;s Foundation Scholar.

All described procedures were reviewed and approved by our institutional animal care and use committee.
1. Plan the Experiment
<ol>
	<li>Choose cells to be injected. Cells from a variety of sources are candidates for injection: adherent cell culture lines, genetically modified clones, neurosphere cells, primary cultures, or disaggregated tumors. The type of model desired will define the most appropriate site of injection.
	<ol>
		<li>Determine cell number for injection. The number of cells r...

<ol>
	<li>Heyer, J., Kwong, L. N., Lowe, S. W., Chin, L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Non-germline+genetically+engineered+mouse+models+for+translational+cancer+research.">Non-germline genetically engineered mouse models for translational cancer research.</a> Nature reviews. Cancer. 10, 470-480 (2010).</li><li>Yamada, 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=A+method+to+accurately+inject+tumor+cells+into+the+caudate/putamen+nuclei+of+the+mouse+brain.">A method to accurately inject tumor cells into the caudate/putamen nuclei of the mouse brain.</a> The Tokai journal of experimental and clinical medicine. 29, 167-173 (2004).</li><li>Brooks, A. I., 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=Reproducible+and+efficient+murine+CNS+gene+delivery+using+a+microprocessor-controlled+injector.">Reproducible and efficient murine CNS gene delivery using a microprocessor-controlled injector.</a> Journal of neuroscience. 80, 137-147 (1998).</li><li>Shankavaram, U. T., 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=Molecular+profiling+indicates+orthotopic+xenograft+of+glioma+cell+lines+simulate+a+subclass+of+human+glioblastoma.">Molecular profiling indicates orthotopic xenograft of glioma cell lines simulate a subclass of human glioblastoma.</a> Journal of cellular and molecular medicine. 16, 545-554 (2012).</li><li>Giannini, 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+tumor+EGFR+and+PDGFRA+gene+amplifications+retained+in+an+invasive+intracranial+xenograft+model+of+glioblastoma+multiforme.">Patient tumor EGFR and PDGFRA gene amplifications retained in an invasive intracranial xenograft model of glioblastoma multiforme.</a> Neuro-oncology. 7, 164-176 (2005).</li><li>Yi, D., Hua, T. X., Lin, H. Y. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=EGFR+gene+overexpression+retained+in+an+invasive+xenograft+model+by+solid+orthotopic+transplantation+of+human+glioblastoma+multiforme+into+nude+mice.">EGFR gene overexpression retained in an invasive xenograft model by solid orthotopic transplantation of human glioblastoma multiforme into nude mice.</a> Cancer investigation. 29, 229-239 (2011).</li><li>Carty, N., 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=Intracranial+injection+of+AAV+expressing+NEP+but+not+IDE+reduces+amyloid+pathology+in+APP+PS1+transgenic+mice.">Intracranial injection of AAV expressing NEP but not IDE reduces amyloid pathology in APP+PS1 transgenic mice.</a> PLos ONE. 8, e59626 (2013).</li><li>Thaci, B., 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=Pharmacokinetic+study+of+neural+stem+cell-based+cell+carrier+for+oncolytic+virotherapy:+targeted+delivery+of+the+therapeutic+payload+in+an+orthotopic+brain+tumor+model.">Pharmacokinetic study of neural stem cell-based cell carrier for oncolytic virotherapy: targeted delivery of the therapeutic payload in an orthotopic brain tumor model.</a> Cancer gene therapy. 19, 431-442 (2012).</li><li>Ozawa, T., James, C. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Establishing+intracranial+brain+tumor+xenografts+with+subsequent+analysis+of+tumor+growth+and+response+to+therapy+using+bioluminescence+imaging.">Establishing intracranial brain tumor xenografts with subsequent analysis of tumor growth and response to therapy using bioluminescence imaging.</a> J. Vis. Exp. (41), (2010).</li><li>Valadez, J. G., Sarangi, A., Lundberg, C. J., Cooper, 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=Primary+orthotopic+glioma+xenografts+recapitulate+infiltrative+growth+and+isocitrate+dehydrogenase+I+mutation.">Primary orthotopic glioma xenografts recapitulate infiltrative growth and isocitrate dehydrogenase I mutation.</a> J. Vis. Exp. (83), (2014).</li><li>Baumann, B. C., Dorsey, J. F., Benci, J. L., Joh, D. Y., Kao, G. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Stereotactic+intracranial+implantation+and+in+vivo+bioluminescent+imaging+of+tumor+xenografts+in+a+mouse+model+system+of+glioblastoma+multiforme.">Stereotactic intracranial implantation and in vivo bioluminescent imaging of tumor xenografts in a mouse model system of glioblastoma multiforme.</a> J. Vis. Exp. (67), (2012).</li><li>Iwami, K., 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+novel+method+of+intracranial+injection+via+the+postglenoid+foramen+for+brain+tumor+mouse+models.">A novel method of intracranial injection via the postglenoid foramen for brain tumor mouse models.</a> Journal of neurosurgery. 116, 630-635 (2012).</li></ol>

The authors have nothing to disclose.

Orthotopic mouse models of human brain cancer can be an excellent tool for assessing the effectiveness of clinical therapies, but care must be taken to optimize the placement of cells in brain tissue. Studies have shown that excessive aliquot volumes, suboptimal injection technique and hasty injection rates can lead to leakiness and the appearance of tumor cells in undesirable locations (ventricles, spinal cord, extradural regions, etc.) and high variation in tumor size2 (personal observations). An an...

In vitro studies of brain tumor cells are invaluable for dissecting molecular mechanisms driving growth, survival, migration, and invasion of cancer cells; cultured cell experiments can define signaling pathways, suggest potential therapeutic targets, and characterize cellular response to drug treatment. But in vitro systems are far too simplistic to predict organismal response to pharmaceuticals; they lack the physiological reactions, immune responses, cell microenvironment, and overall heterogeneity of living animal systems. Genetically engineered models can be invaluable, when available, but molecular differences exist between species and murine cells may not recapitulate events in human processes, resulting in significant discrepancies when comparing animal models to clinical observations1. Mouse xenograft models involving subcutaneous (SQ) injection of human brain tumor cell lines under the skin of the flank are easy to perform and measure; they can be used to address effects of gene modification and drug administration/delivery, metabolism and toxicity. Significant drawbacks, however, limit the utility of SQ models. The microenvironment does not recapitulate that of a naturally occurring brain tumor: the interactions of various cell types and tissues; the local vasculature, and myriad other factors unique to the brain cannot be replicated. To more accurately reproduce the unique milieu of a naturally occurring brain tumor and test the effects of pharmaceutical interventions, a mouse orthotopic model should be utilized. Furthermore, orthotopic techniques may be used as part of a genetically engineered approach in which human primary non-cancerous cells (differentiated or progenitor) are genetically modified and injected into the relevant site of a mouse, with or without human stroma cells, resulting in tumorigenesis similar to that seen in humans1.
This article describes a methodology to precisely and reproducibly create brain tumors in mice. Using this technique, the user can accurately inject a small aliquot of suspended cells into a specified location of the fronto-parieto-temporal region of the mouse cerebral cortex. Mouse mortality is extremely low; in our hands, no mice have died from surgical complications after 185 procedures. Characteristics of the resultant tumor can be compared with that of typical human clinical tumors; for example: rapidity of growth, degree of necrosis, extent of invasion, heterogeneity of cell type, presence of mitotic cells, markers of proliferation and apoptosis, etc. Cell lines or disaggregated human tissue or tumor samples can then be evaluated based on their ability to simulate actual clinical presentation. Pharmaceuticals, selected based on their performance in cell culture, can be tested in the context of a functioning metabolism, circulatory system, and blood-brain barrier as they exist in an animal burdened with a tumor, all in a relevant architectural context. Furthermore, the cells chosen for injection may be genetically modified to investigate the impact of specific knockdowns, deletions, knock-ins, mutations, etc. on tumor growth and survival.
A number of publications document tumors studies using a variety of intracranial techniques. Yamada et al. did a detailed study of the injection of dye and of U87 cells and found that minimizing volume and injection rate produced the best tumor2. Brooks et al. found superior reproducibility and efficiency using a microprocessor-controlled injector rather than a manual method to deliver viral vectors; their conclusions regarding optimal injection parameters are applicable to cell delivery3. Shankavaram et al. showed that glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) cell lines injected orthotopically (using a manual method) into the brain recapitulated the gene expression profile of the clinical tumors more closely than either in vitro or SQ xenografts, supporting the use of intracranial models for preclinical studies4. Giannini et al. injected cells from human surgical specimens that had been sustained in the flanks of nude mice by serial passaging into the brains of additional mice, and showed that this approach preserved patient tumor gene alterations in the model5. Similar results were reported by Yi et al6. Using a stereotaxic setup, carefully defined injection site, and a slow and steady injection rate, they obtained reproducible brain tumors with consistent growth rates and high (100%) engraftment rate. The validity of this technique has therefore been well established; a literature search suggests that the applications of this technique are extensive. Carty et al. used intracranial injections to successfully deliver viral vectors expressing therapeutic genes into the frontal cortex of transgenic model of Alzheimer&#8217;s disease7. Thaci et al. described the use of intracranial injections to deliver therapeutic oncolytic adenovirus in a neural stem cell based carrier into nude mice already carrying orthotopically injected GBM tumors8. Clearly, intracranial injections are a versatile and effective tool for preclinical research. Earlier publications in The Journal of Visualized Experiments describe fundamental approaches9-11, but we take the concept of intracranial tumor injection and orthotopic modeling to a higher level of precision using easy-to-master technology.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="866">
	<tbody>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:349px;">Name of Reagent/ Equipment</td>
			<td style="width:87px;">Company</td>
			<td style="width:145px;">Catalog Number</td>
			<td style="width:287px;">Comments/Description</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:349px;">Equipment</td>
			<td style="width:87px;"></td>
			<td style="width:145px;"></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:349px;">Small Animal Stereotaxic Instrument with Digital Display Console.</td>
			<td style="width:87px;">Kopf</td>
			<td style="width:145px;">Model 940</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:349px;">Mouse Gas Anesthesia Head Holder</td>
			<td style="width:87px;">Kopf</td>
			<td style="width:145px;">Model 923-B</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:349px;">Mouse Ear Bars</td>
			<td style="width:87px;">Kopf</td>
			<td style="width:145px;">Medel 922</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:349px;">Fiber Optic Illuminator</td>
			<td style="width:87px;">Fisher</td>
			<td style="width:145px;">12-562-36</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:349px;">UltraMicroPump III</td>
			<td style="width:87px;">WPI</td>
			<td style="width:145px;">UMP3</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:349px;">Micro4 microprocessor</td>
			<td style="width:87px;">WPI</td>
			<td style="width:145px;">UMC4</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:349px;">Variable speed hand-held rotary drill</td>
			<td style="width:87px;">Dremel</td>
			<td style="width:145px;">Model 300</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:349px;">Dental drill bit, 1.0 mm</td>
			<td style="width:87px;">Spoelting</td>
			<td style="width:145px;">514554</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:349px;">Adaptor for dental drill bit: 3/32 inch collet</td>
			<td style="width:87px;">Dremel</td>
			<td style="width:145px;">481</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:349px;">Heating pad</td>
			<td style="width:87px;"></td>
			<td style="width:145px;"></td>
			<td>for mice</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:349px;">Isoflurane vaporizer system</td>
			<td style="width:87px;"></td>
			<td style="width:145px;"></td>
			<td>for mice</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="42">
			<td height="42" style="height:42px;width:349px;">Medical tubing and connectors</td>
			<td style="width:87px;"></td>
			<td style="width:145px;"></td>
			<td style="width:287px;">to connect isoflurane vaporizer with stereotaxic frame</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:349px;">Instruments</td>
			<td style="width:87px;"></td>
			<td style="width:145px;"></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:349px;">Precision 25 ul micro syringe</td>
			<td style="width:87px;">Hamilton&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:145px;">7636-01</td>
			<td>Model 702, without needle</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:349px;">Microsyringe needles, 26s gauge&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:87px;">Hamilton&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:145px;">7804-04</td>
			<td>RN, 25 mm point style 2</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:349px;">Fine-tipped scissors (straight, sharp/sharp)</td>
			<td style="width:87px;"></td>
			<td style="width:145px;"></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:349px;">Medium-sized standard scissors</td>
			<td style="width:87px;"></td>
			<td style="width:145px;"></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:349px;">Standard serrated forceps</td>
			<td style="width:87px;"></td>
			<td style="width:145px;"></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:349px;">Serrated hemostats (2)</td>
			<td style="width:87px;"></td>
			<td style="width:145px;"></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:349px;">Fine-tipped forceps</td>
			<td style="width:87px;"></td>
			<td style="width:145px;"></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:349px;">Supplies</td>
			<td style="width:87px;"></td>
			<td style="width:145px;"></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:349px;">Sutures 5-0 vicryl P-3 13 mm (Ethicon)</td>
			<td style="width:87px;">MWI</td>
			<td style="width:145px;">J463G</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:349px;">Surgical blades #10, stainless (Feather)</td>
			<td style="width:87px;">Fisher</td>
			<td style="width:145px;">296#10</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="84">
			<td height="84" style="height:84px;width:349px;">Isoflurane (Fluriso)&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:87px;">VetOne&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:145px;">NDC 13985-528-60</td>
			<td style="width:287px;">Item #502017. Liquid inhalation anesthetic. federal law restricts this drug to use by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:349px;">Carprofen (Rimadyl Injectable 50 mg/mL)&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:87px;">Pfizer</td>
			<td style="width:145px;">NDC 61106-8507-01</td>
			<td>dilute in saline</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:349px;">Ophthalmic ointment (artificial tears)</td>
			<td style="width:87px;">Rugby</td>
			<td style="width:145px;">NDC 0536-6550-91</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:349px;">Topical antibiotic (AK-Poly-Bac )</td>
			<td style="width:87px;">Akorn</td>
			<td style="width:145px;">NDC 17478-238-35</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:349px;">Povidone-iodine topical antiseptic, 10% (Betadine)</td>
			<td style="width:87px;">Betadine</td>
			<td style="width:145px;">NDC 67618-150-04</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:349px;">Hydrogen Peroxide, 30%</td>
			<td style="width:87px;">Fisher&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:145px;">H325-100</td>
			<td>for visualizing skull landmarks</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:349px;">Sterile saline</td>
			<td style="width:87px;">VetOne&#160;&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:145px;">NDC 13985-807-25</td>
			<td>for diluting solutions, cleaning tissue</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:349px;">Bone wax</td>
			<td style="width:87px;">WPI</td>
			<td style="width:145px;">Item #501771</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:349px;">Sterile drapes</td>
			<td style="width:87px;">McKesson</td>
			<td style="width:145px;">25-517</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:349px;">Sterile surgical gloves</td>
			<td style="width:87px;">McKesson</td>
			<td style="width:145px;">(to fit)</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:349px;">Sterile gauze pads, 2 x 2</td>
			<td style="width:87px;">Fisherbrand&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:145px;">22028556</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:349px;">Sterile gauze pads, 4 x 4</td>
			<td style="width:87px;">Fisherbrand&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:145px;">22-415-469</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:349px;">Alcohol prep pads (medium)</td>
			<td style="width:87px;">PDI</td>
			<td style="width:145px;">B603</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:349px;">Sterile cotton-tipped applicators</td>
			<td style="width:87px;">Fisherbrand&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:145px;">23-400-114</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="22">
			<td height="22" style="height:22px;width:349px;">Sterile 0.5 ml screw cap tube with caps for cells</td>
			<td style="width:87px;">USA Scientific</td>
			<td style="width:145px;">1405-4700</td>
			<td>for cells</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:349px;">Individually wrapped sterile dispo pipettes</td>
			<td style="width:87px;">Fisher</td>
			<td style="width:145px;">BD 357575</td>
			<td>for needle cleaning solutions</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:349px;">BD insulin syringes with needles&#160;</td>
			<td style="width:87px;">Fisher</td>
			<td style="width:145px;">329461</td>
			<td>for analgesic</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:349px;">70% ethanol</td>
			<td style="width:87px;"></td>
			<td style="width:145px;"></td>
			<td>for cleaning</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="25">
			<td height="25" style="height:25px;width:349px;">Sterile di H2O</td>
			<td style="width:87px;"></td>
			<td style="width:145px;"></td>
			<td>for cleaning</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:349px;">Microfuge tubes for cleaning solutions</td>
			<td style="width:87px;"></td>
			<td style="width:145px;"></td>
			<td>for needle cleaning solutions</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:349px;">Felt tip pen (dedicated)</td>
			<td style="width:87px;"></td>
			<td style="width:145px;"></td>
			<td>for marking skull</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

creating anatomically accurate and reproducible intracranial xenografts of human brain tumors

Orthotopic tumor models are currently the best way to study the characteristics of a tumor type, with and without intervention, in the context of a live animal &#8211;&#160;particularly in sites with unique physiological and architectural qualities such as the brain. In vitro and ectopic models cannot account for features such as vasculature, blood brain barrier, metabolism, drug delivery and toxicity, and a host of other relevant factors. Orthotopic models have their limitations too, but with proper technique tumor cells of interest can be accurately engrafted into tissue that most closely mimics conditions in the human brain. By employing methods that deliver precisely measured volumes to accurately defined locations at a consistent rate and pressure, mouse models of human brain tumors with predictable growth rates can be reproducibly created and are suitable for reliable analysis of various interventions. The protocol described here focuses on the technical details of designing and preparing for an intracranial injection, performing the surgery, and ensuring successful and reproducible tumor growth and provides starting points for a variety of conditions that can be customized for a range of different brain tumor models.

Reliable intracranial xenografts can be created with this described technique. Identifying the critical structures of the mouse skull (Figure 1) will allow for recognition of the bregma and guide the investigator to a precise and reproducible injection location. In these studies the U251 parental line, U251 cells transfected with luciferase (U251-Luc), or U87 immortalized human GBM tissue culture cells were suspended in 4 to 6 &#181;l of SF-DMEM and injected 2.5 mm lateral (right), 1.5 mm anterior, and 3...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Creating Anatomically Accurate and Reproducible Intracranial Xenografts of Human Brain Tumors at JoVE.com

Creating Anatomically Accurate and Reproducible Intracranial Xenografts of Human Brain Tumors

The brain is a unique site with qualities that are not well represented by in vitro or ectopic analyses. Orthotopic mouse models with reproducible location and growth characteristics can be reliably created with intracranial injections using a stereotaxic fixation instrument and a low pressure syringe pump.

Orthotopic tumor models are currently the best way to study the characteristics of a tumor type, with and without intervention, in the context of a live ...

creating-anatomically-accurate-reproducible-intracranial-xenografts

Research

JoVE Journal

Medicine

15.4K Views.  University of Colorado School of Medicine. The brain is a unique site with qualities that are not well represented by in vitro or ectopic analyses. Orthotopic mouse models with reproducible location and growth characteristics can be reliably created with intracranial injections using a stereotaxic fixation instrument and a low pressure syringe pump. 