Characterization of a new rat model of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
To develop and characterize by imaging and pathological examination a new immunocompetent rat model of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).


METHODS
Prospective animal research.


METHODS
Frozen specimens of HNSCC induced chemically by 4-nitroquinoline 1 oxide (4-NQO) in Sprague Dawley rats were used for the first graft. Serial allografts were then performed with fresh specimens of tumor in twenty-five Sprague Dawley rats. A specimen of tumor (100 mm3) was picked up by head and neck dissection during an autopsy. The graft was performed in a subcutaneous manner, in the ventral part of the neck, using an incision of 4 mm, through the masseter muscle. Tumors were clinically measured once a week and volumes were calculated. 2-[18F]Fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography coupled with computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) was performed on days 14 and 30 after the graft. Rats were euthanized and pathological features were assessed using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and immunohistochemistry markers to characterize the tumor.


RESULTS
An 80% take rate was achieved using fresh tumor specimens. Tumors grew rapidly; the mean tumoral volume was 1.013 cm3 on day 14 and 7.994 cm3 on day 30. FDG-PET/CT imaging targeted regions of metabolically active tumor. It showed a uniform uptake of 18F-FDG on day 14 and a large area of central necrosis on day 30. Pathological examinations showed a typical squamous cell carcinoma, with similar immunohistochemical analyses to the human squamous cell carcinoma.


CONCLUSIONS
We propose a new allograft HNSCC rat model which is easily reproducible and rapidly obtained in comparison to that induced chemically with 4-NQO. This model was developed in immunocompetent rats, with similar conditions to human carcinogenesis and could be used for testing new therapeutics.
Aubry
Karine
K
Department of E.N.T., University Hospital Center, Limoges, France. aubry.k@caramail.com
Paraf
Francois
F
Monteil
Jacques
J
Bessede
Jean Pierre
JP
Rigaud
Michel
M
D015112:4-Nitroquinoline-1-oxide; D000818:Animals; D002273:Carcinogens; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 / Q000494:pharmacology; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D009368:Neoplasm Transplantation; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography / Q000379:methods; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods
D002273:Carcinogens; D019275:Radiopharmaceuticals; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D015112:4-Nitroquinoline-1-oxide