title: Experimental models for therapeutic studies of transitional cell carcinoma.
abstract: Transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) is the second most common malignancy of the genito-urinary tract. To date, the therapy options available seem unable to prevent TCC recurrence and its progression, even though therapy studies are constantly investigating new treatment options. A great variety of TCC models have been described. For each study, the model has to be modified according to the specific investigative aim. The establishment of reproducible models is a continuing challenge. Currently, there is a strong tendency towards 3-dimensional models for in vitro studies. The aim of this article was to review current ex vivo and in vivo models used in studies of TCC therapy. We describe 2- and 3-dimensional cell and tissue cultures, as well as the set-up, investigative options and detection methods used in rodent heterotopic and orthotopic models.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, University Hospital Mannheim, Germany. ute.gabriel@uro.ma.uni-heidelberg.de
authors.forename: Ute
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Gabriel
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bolenz
authors.forename: Maurice Stephan
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Michel
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002295:Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D051381:Rats; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*