Setup and characterization of a human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma xenograft model in nude rats.
OBJECTIVE
To develop and characterize a new head and neck cancer animal model.


METHODS
A human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) xenograft model in nude rats was established via subcutaneous inoculation of a human-origin HNSCC cell line, SCC-4. The tumor was evaluated for growth characteristics, pathologic features by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and immunohistochemistry of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). 2-[18F] fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) imaging characteristics were studied too.


RESULTS
A new HNSCC animal model was successfully established. Tumor sizes reached about 1 cm3 on day 15 after tumor cell inoculation. HE staining pathology has confirmed that this tumor is a typical SCC. EGFR immunohistochemistry demonstrated this tumor model to be strongly EGFR positive. 18F-FDG PET study has shown that 18F-FDG accumulated in tumors.


CONCLUSIONS
This study has demonstrated that this tumor model is an appropriate HNSCC tumor model for animal studies on HNSCC.
Bao
Ande
A
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas 78229-3900, USA. bao@uthscsa.edu
Phillips
William T
WT
Goins
Beth
B
McGuff
Howard S
HS
Zheng
Xiangpeng
X
Woolley
F Ross
FR
Natarajan
Mohan
M
Santoyo
Cristina
C
Miller
Frank R
FR
Otto
Randal A
RA
D000818:Animals; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D011859:Radiography; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D051381:Rats; D011923:Rats, Nude; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous
D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18