Refining rodent cancer models

Authors:

Stéphanie I. De Vleeschauwer

Marieke van de Ven

Anaïs Oudin

Karlijn Debusschere

Kate Connor

Annette T. Byrne

Doreen Ram

Anne Marie Rhebergen

Yannick D. Raeves

Maik Dahlhoff

Virginie Dangles-Marie

Els R. Hermans

Publication:

Nature Protocols 1-26

Publish Date:

11 July 2024

Background

Existing guidelines like PREPARE and ARRIVE lack clear, standardised approaches for refinement in in vivo cancer studies, leading to generalised reporting that poorly reflects efforts to monitor pathologies accurately. While reduction and replacement of animals have seen progress, refinements have been challenging to implement.

Summary

This document provides guidelines to facilitate the refinement of studies using in vivo cancer models by offering robust and practical recommendations. These guidelines provide cancer-specific clinical signs and detailed recommendations for various rodent models, including genetically engineered and patient-derived xenografts. The guidelines also cover refinement and monitoring approaches during the design and execution of the study, as well as for tumour-initiating biological preparation, implantation methods, clinical sign monitoring, humane endpoints, and severity assessment, providing clear guidance for oncology researchers.

Key Actions

Provide extra water and appropriate nutrition, including palatable food to stimulate appetite.
Choose the most appropriate method for tumour measurement.
Refine and tailor monitoring and welfare assessment protocols to the specific type of cancer being studied, including clinical signs and welfare assessment.
Refine anaesthesia and surgical protocols.
Identify and implement early humane endpoints.