Table 1.
Pancreatic cancer models | ||
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Model | Strengths | Limitations |
Subcutaneous xenograft model | Ease of establishment Ease of monitoring the tumor size Recapitulation of human tumor histology (eg, desmoplasia) with use of human pancreatic cancer xenografts Potential use of subcutaneous xenograft with pancreatic cancer tissue from patients in selecting therapy tailored to patient’s tumor |
Unnatural milieu Lack of modulation of tumor growth by immune system Concerns regarding real representation of human disease by cell lines Lack of metastasis and locoregional spread |
Orthotopic model | Tumor growth in natural milieu Locoregional and metastatic spread with aggressive cell lines Recapitulation of human tumor histology (eg, desmoplasia) with use of human pancreatic cancer xenografts |
Technically challenging Difficult to monitor tumor size requiring advanced techniques such as ultrasound Lack of modulation of tumor growth by immune system |
Genetically engineered model | Recapitulation of genetic changes of pancreatic cancer Use of immune-competent mice enables evaluation of effect of immune-surveillance on tumor growth |
Concerns regarding relevance to human disease because the tumor’s genetic make-up is that of mouse Cost of establishment of mouse colonies Difficulty of monitoring tumor growth Long delay in development of tumors |
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Models of pancreatitis | ||
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Cerulein model | Convenient Rapid induction Reproducible Similar histologic changes as human disease Availability of corresponding in vitro model |
Unknown clinical relevance Less severity |
Choline-deficient ethionine supplementation diet model | Convenient Noninvasive |
Unknown clinical relevance Contribution of hepatic and central nervous system changes to mortality, which is unchanged with pancreas-targeted therapies Lack of corresponding in vitro model |
Arginine model | Convenient Rapid induction |
Unknown clinical relevance Lack of corresponding in vitro model |
Duct obstruction model | Rapid induction Clinically relevant |
Invasive Mild severity |
Duct infusion model | Rapid induction Clinically relevant Recapitulation of human disease in terms of severity and systemic changes Infusion of different component of bile can help dissect their role in acute pancreatitis |
Invasive Difficult to establish the model |