Subcutaneous and orthotopic xenograft models of human bladder carcinoma in nude mice for epidermal growth factor receptor-targeted treatment

Introduction. Approaches based on the principles of a targeted therapy are considered a promising strategy that is capable to improve the effectiveness of treatment for bladder cancer (BC) patients.

The purpose of the study was to establish an orthotopic xenograft model of human BC in mice and to prove its suitability for experimental examination of drugs targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR).

Materials and methods. The objects of the study were ectopic subcutaneous and orthotopic human BC xenografts established using EJ and 5637 human BC cell lines. The growth of orthotopic xenografts in vivo was assessed by magnetic resonance imaging. Tumor tissues were investigated using histological and immunohistochemical techniques.

Results. It was shown that EJ and 5637 xenografts exhibit a good reproducibility, a sufficient blood supply of the tumor tissues, a high level of EGFR expression, and different pattern of a subcellular receptor localization. Implantation and subsequent proliferation of human EJ or 5637 cells in the murine bladder mucosa presumably results in muscle-non-invasive tumor formation.

Conclusions. The EJ and 5637 xenograft models can be useful for investigation of the efficacy of EGFR-targeted biotherapeutic treatments.

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