Protocol for establishing spontaneous metastasis in mice using a subcutaneous tumor model

Shiqin Liu; Michelle Shen; Kewei Le; Alifiani B Hartono; Tanya Stoyanova

doi:10.1016/j.xpro.2024.103239

Protocol for establishing spontaneous metastasis in mice using a subcutaneous tumor model

STAR Protoc. 2024 Sep 20;5(3):103239. doi: 10.1016/j.xpro.2024.103239. Epub 2024 Aug 2.

Authors

Shiqin Liu¹, Michelle Shen¹, Kewei Le¹, Alifiani B Hartono¹, Tanya Stoyanova²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
² Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Department of Urology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA. Electronic address: tstoyanova@mednet.ucla.edu.

Abstract

Recapitulating spontaneous metastasis in preclinical models is crucial for understanding mechanisms underlying cancer progression and testing effective therapeutic interventions. We present a protocol for establishing and characterizing the spontaneous metastasis model in mice. We describe steps for generating primary tumors, tumor resection, monitoring metastatic dissemination, and evaluating metastatic burden using histological and imaging techniques. This protocol provides a valuable tool for studying metastasis in vivo and testing therapeutic strategies aimed at preventing or targeting metastatic diseases. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Liu et al.¹.

Keywords: Cancer; Cell Biology; Model Organisms; Molecular Biology.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

Animals
Cell Line, Tumor
Disease Models, Animal*
Female
Mice
Neoplasm Metastasis*

Abstract

Publication types

MeSH terms

Grants and funding