Mouse models for radiation-induced cancers

Abstract

Potential ionising radiation exposure scenarios are varied, but all bring risks beyond the simple issues of short-term survival. Whether accidentally exposed to a single, whole-body dose in an act of terrorism or purposefully exposed to fractionated doses as part of a therapeutic regimen, radiation exposure carries the consequence of elevated cancer risk. The long-term impact of both intentional and unintentional exposure could potentially be mitigated by treatments specifically developed to limit the mutations and precancerous replication that ensue in the wake of irradiation The development of such agents would undoubtedly require a substantial degree of in vitro testing, but in order to accurately recapitulate the complex process of radiation-induced carcinogenesis, well-understood animal models are necessary. Inbred strains of the laboratory mouse, Mus musculus, present the most logical choice due to the high number of molecular and physiological similarities they share with humans. Their small size, high rate of breeding and fully sequenced genome further increase its value for use in cancer research. This chapter will review relevant m. musculus inbred and F1 hybrid animals of radiation-induced myeloid leukemia, thymic lymphoma, breast and lung cancers. Method of cancer induction and associated molecular pathologies will also be described for each model.

Effects of Radiotherapy on Ehrlich’s Ascetic Carcinoma in Swiss Albino Mice: An Experimental Study

“…[21,22] Mouse studies of radiation effects on tumor biology have increased the field knowledge about the effect on the tumor microenvironment, including cytokine and immune cell response to radiation which affects the overall tumor response. [23,24] conclusIon Radiotherapy alone had the least damaging effect on the Ehrlich's ascetic tumor cells. Such therapeutic responses may also be found in human neoplasia of various kinds, since the biology of neoplasia remains the same everywhere.…”

Immune Relevant and Immune Deficient Mice: Options and Opportunities in Translational Research

“…Physical: irradiation γ rays and X rays Suppression of bone marrow resulting in marrow atrophy and pancytopenia. 182,[237][238][239][240][241][242][243][244] High dose: decreased splenic and thymic weights; loss of cortical thymocytes; decreased splenic CD4+ and CD8+ T cells; decreased circulating CD3+ cells. Chronic low dose: prolonged life span in mice homozygous for the lymphoproliferation spontaneous mutation (Fas lpr ); increased CD4+ cells; suppression of IL6 and IL17, and upregulation of Tregs in CIA mice; suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, reduction of CD8+ T cells, and induction of Tregs in murine EAE model.…”

Are Exposures to Multiple Frequencies the Key to Future Radiofrequency Research?

“…Finally, it would be absolutely essential to decide on an appropriate biological model to use in these studies. The use of different mouse models for investigating (ionizing) radiation-induced cancers has been reviewed ( 67 ). It was suggested that the ideal mouse model possesses a low spontaneous background frequency of the desired malignancy, has a short latency period, avoids the co-development of cancers at alternative sites, and produces nearly identical tumors to the corresponding human cancer in terms of onset, progression, and underlying pathology ( 67 ).…”

“…The use of different mouse models for investigating (ionizing) radiation-induced cancers has been reviewed ( 67 ). It was suggested that the ideal mouse model possesses a low spontaneous background frequency of the desired malignancy, has a short latency period, avoids the co-development of cancers at alternative sites, and produces nearly identical tumors to the corresponding human cancer in terms of onset, progression, and underlying pathology ( 67 ). But it is acknowledged that a perfect model may not exist, so the best available model would have to be used depending on the type of cancer being investigated.…”