Figure 2.

Evaluation of treatments using preclinical models of malignant mesothelioma (MM). Anti-cancer agents are delivered to the MM models, either in a native, or vectorized form (in nanoparticles, liposomes, or viruses). MM cells may be labeled or engineered to allow one to determine tumor growth by imaging methods, mostly bioluminescence. To determine the host response, the analytical method depends on the MM model. In vivo endpoints comprise measuring the tumor volume, quantifying and identifying tumor cells in the pleural effusion or ascites (if produced), or measuring others parameters (angiogenesis, immune infiltration, etc.). In vitro, the endpoints are cell viability, type of death, proliferation, motility, invasion, morphology, and volume (spheroids). Both cell and mouse models have been applied to test the efficiency of drugs in mono- or multimodality chemotherapies, immunotherapies and target therapies, oncovirotherapies, or cell and gene therapies. SPECT, single photon emission computed tomography; IPe, intra-pleural; Ipl: intra-peritoneal; PDX, patient-derived xenograft.