Genetic induction of tumorigenesis in swine

SJ Adam, LA Rund, KN Kuzmuk, JF Zachary… - Oncogene, 2007 - nature.com
SJ Adam, LA Rund, KN Kuzmuk, JF Zachary, LB Schook, CM Counter
Oncogene, 2007nature.com
The transition from basic to clinical cancer research for a number of experimental
therapeutics is hampered by the lack of a genetically malleable, large animal model. To this
end, we genetically engineered primary porcine cells to be tumorigenic by expression of
proteins known to perturb pathways commonly corrupted in human cancer. Akin to human
cells, these porcine cells were quite resistant to transformation, requiring multiple genetic
changes. Moreover, the transformed porcine cells produced tumors when returned to the …
Abstract
The transition from basic to clinical cancer research for a number of experimental therapeutics is hampered by the lack of a genetically malleable, large animal model. To this end, we genetically engineered primary porcine cells to be tumorigenic by expression of proteins known to perturb pathways commonly corrupted in human cancer. Akin to human cells, these porcine cells were quite resistant to transformation, requiring multiple genetic changes. Moreover, the transformed porcine cells produced tumors when returned to the isogenic host animal. The ability to now rapidly and reproducibly genetically induce tumors of sizes similar to those treated clinically in a large mammal similar to humans in many respects will provide a robust cancer model for preclinical studies dependant on generating large tumors.
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