Chemical Carcinogen (Dimethyl-benzanthracene) Induced Transplantable Cancer in Fanconi Anemia (Fanca−/−) Mice

Abstract

Background/Aim: Patients with radiation sensitive Fanconi anemia (FA) are presenting with cancers of the oral cavity, oropharynx, and other anatomic locations. Materials and Methods: Animal models for cancer in FA mice used orthotopic tumors from wild type mice. We derived a cancer cell line from Fanca-/-mice by topical application of the chemical carcinogen dimethyl benzanthracene (DMBA). Results: A Fanca-/-mouse rhabdomyosarcoma was derived from a Fanca-/-(129/Sv) mouse. The in vitro clonogenic survival of the Fanca-/-clone 6 cancer cell line was consistent with the FA genotype. Transplanted tumors demonstrated hypoxic centers surrounded by senescent cells. Conclusion: This Fanca-/-mouse syngeneic cancer should provide a valuable resource for discovery and development of new normal tissue radioprotectors for patients with FA and cancer.