Immune-relevant aspects of murine models of head and neck cancer

Abstract

Head and neck cancers (HNC) cause significant mortality and morbidity. There have been few advances in therapeutic management of HNC in the past 4 to 5 decades, which supports the need for studies focusing on HNC biology. In recent years, increased recognition of the relevance of the host response in cancer progression has led to novel therapeutic strategies and putative biomarkers of tumor aggressiveness. However, tumor-immune interactions are highly complex and vary with cancer type. Pre-clinical, in vivo models represent an important and necessary step in understanding biological processes involved in development, progression and treatment of HNC. Rodents (mice, rats, hamsters) are the most frequently used animal models in HNC research. The relevance and utility of information generated by studies in murine models is unquestionable, but it is also limited in application to tumor-immune interactions. In this review, we present information regarding the immune-specific characteristics of the murine models most commonly used in HNC research, including immunocompromised and immunocompetent animals. The particular characteristics of xenograft, chemically-induced, syngeneic, transgenic, and humanized models are discussed in order to provide context and insight for researchers interested in the in vivo study of tumor-immune interactions in HNC.

Fusobacteria modulate oral carcinogenesis and promote cancer progression

“…Data from our in vitro experiments suggested that periodontal bacteria can enhance cancer progression. To investigate if these effects also occur in vivo , we used the 4NQO-induced oral carcinoma mouse model because it simulates human OSCC carcinogenesis progression over a reasonably short period of time in immunocompetent mice [ 33 , 34 ]. Although F. nucleatum showed most dramatic effect on oncogene upregulation and IL-8 secretion, P. gingivalis had an effect on MYC, MMP1 and MMP9.…”

“Re-educating” Tumor Associated Macrophages as a Novel Immunotherapy Strategy for Neuroblastoma

“…Moveover, xenograft models are generated by using immunodeficient mice, such as athymic nude mice, which carry loss of forkheadbox n1 ( Foxn1 ), and severely compromised immunodeficient (SCID) mice ( 200 , 202 , 203 ). Atymic nude mice lack mature T cells, but continue to have myeloid cells and have innate immunity pathways, which often makes these mice, an excellent in vivo model to study TAMs and MDSCs ( 204 ). Nonetheless, crosstalk and interplay between the diverse immune populations, including T cells and TAMs, are important in regulating neuroblastoma tumor growth.…”

Development of lung metastases in mouse models of tongue squamous cell carcinoma

“…The use of athymic nude mice lacking functional T lymphocytes in our orthotopic model hampers the evaluation of immunological processes involved in OSCC metastasis such as immune escape and immune modulation (Chen, Liu, et al, 2019; Li et al., 2020; Mognetti et al., 2006). Immunocompromised mice are necessary when human cancer cell lines are used to reproduce tumors in vivo, and different kinds have been used for xenograft models of OSCC (Li et al., 2020; Rossa & D’silva, 2019). Interestingly, few orthotopic models of OSCC metastasis reported the use of severe immunocompromised mice such as SCID and NOD‐SCID mice, which lack mature T and B lymphocytes and normal function of lymphocytes, NK cells, dendritic cells, and macrophages, respectively (Masood et al., 2013; Wu et al., 2017).…”

“…Interestingly, few orthotopic models of OSCC metastasis reported the use of severe immunocompromised mice such as SCID and NOD‐SCID mice, which lack mature T and B lymphocytes and normal function of lymphocytes, NK cells, dendritic cells, and macrophages, respectively (Masood et al., 2013; Wu et al., 2017). Notably, athymic nude mice present the lowest degree of immune‐deficiency because of the presence of functional macrophages, dendritic cells, B lymphocytes, and neutrophils (Li et al., 2020; Rossa & D’silva, 2019).…”