Mouse |
Genetic manipulation possible |
Late onset |
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Different genetic backgrounds available |
Low incidence |
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Easy breeding and handling |
No spontaneous melanoma, genetic modifications needed |
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Vast genetic and genomic resources |
Melanocytes in dermis |
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Many examples of molecular pathways dissection |
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Pig |
Cutaneous melanoma |
Major susceptibility genes identified in human are not predisposing in pigs |
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Early onset of multiple tumors |
Early onset and UV-independent, thus not reflecting a large part of human cases occurring in the elderly, on sun-damaged skin |
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No environmental effect |
Cell biology tools are limited (antibodies for example) |
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Same inheritance as humans |
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Common histological and clinical features with human melanoma, including metastatic invasion |
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Spontaneous and complete regression |
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Melanocytes on the basal layer of the epidermis |
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Dog |
Several possible clinical types (mucosal, cutaneous, acral, uveal) |
Often benign (except melanomas from the oral cavity) |
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Veterinary records |
Cell biology tools are limited (antibodies for example) |
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Anti-cancer treatments and clinical trials |
Genetic basis remains poorly described |
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Shared environment with human |
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Somatic mutations similar to human ones |
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Breed genetic structure should facilitate association analysis |
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Horse |
Presence of nevi and melanomas |
Correspond to rare melanomas in human |
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Dermal melanomas can eventually metastasize |
Late metastatic evolution in gray horses |
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The genetic basis of melanoma development in gray horses is partly known |
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Activation of ERK pathway, as seen in human |
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