Animal Eye Models for Uveal Melanoma

Abstract

Animal models play an important role in understanding tumor growth and may be used to develop novel therapies against human malignancies. The significance of the results from animal experiments depends on the selection of the proper model. Many attempts have been made to create appropriate animal models for uveal melanoma and its characteristic metastatic behavior. One approach is to use transgenic animal models or to implant tumor cells. A variety of tumor types have been used for this purpose: tumor cells, such as Greene melanoma, murine B16 melanoma, and human uveal melanoma cells, may be implanted in the eyes of hamsters, rats, rabbits, and mice, among others. Various inoculation routes, including into the anterior chamber and posterior compartment, and retro-orbitally, have been applied to obtain tumor growth mimicking ocular uveal melanoma. However, when we choose animal models, we must be conscious of many disadvantages, such as variable tumor growth, or the need for immunosuppression in xenogeneic grafts. In this paper, we will discuss the various eye models.

Transplantable Melanomas in Hamsters and Gerbils as Models for Human Melanoma. Sensitization in Melanoma Radiotherapy—From Animal Models to Clinical Trials

“…Several animal models of ocular melanoma were proposed, including implantation of skin melanoma into the eye, such as the Greene melanoma, B16 [ 131 ], or human uveal melanoma in the nude mouse eye [ 117 , 132 , 133 , 134 , 135 ]. Hu successfully established mouse xenografts in the choroid of an immunosuppressed rabbit using B16F10 cell line [ 134 ].…”

Tetrac Delayed the Onset of Ocular Melanoma in an Orthotopic Mouse Model

“…In the albino mouse studies, an additional mouse melanoma cell line was utilized: B16LS9 ( n = 5 for each model). While B16F10 cells metastasize primarily to the lungs, the B16LS9 cells are known to spread to the liver when implanted into mice eyes (7, 36). Enlarged eye filled with tumor resulted; starting from 2 weeks following intraocular injections of 10 2 B16F10 cells (Figure 3A) or B16LS9 cells (Figure 3D).…”

“…For ocular melanoma, several models exist, consisting of spontaneous, transgenic, and induced models. The latter, compared to the prior two, are easier to handle and are more reproducible (7). The most widely-used induced model in ocular melanoma research is the inoculation model, in which melanoma tumor cells are implanted into the animal's eye, with the mouse being the most widely used species.…”

“…Animal models play a significant role in understanding tumor development as well as for developing novel therapeutic approaches in preclinical studies. Efforts have been made to generate ocular melanoma animal models that are suitable for uveal melanoma and its distinctive metastatic behavior (7). However, ocular melanoma research is still hindered by limited in vivo models and development is needed of a model that may provide a therapeutic window for preclinical evaluation of experimental treatments.…”

Embryonic Zebrafish: Different Phenotypes after Injection of Human Uveal Melanoma Cells

“…Kalirai et al [26] immunodeficient mice has been developed, where UM cells are either engrafted within the anterior chamber or vitreous cavity of the eyeball, or directly into the liver, representing the common site of metastatic spread for these tumors [28][29][30][31][32][33][34] . Although these mouse models provide valuable information on the response of UM to drugs in vivo, they have several drawbacks.…”