title: Animal models of pancreatic cancer for drug research.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The operative and conservative results of therapy in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma remain appallingly poor. This underlines the demand for further research for effective anticancer drugs. The various animal models remain the essential method for the determination of efficacy of substances during preclinical phase.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Unfortunately, most of these tested substances showed a good efficacy in pancreatic carcinoma in the animal model but were not confirmed during the clinical phase.
  
  
  METHODS
  The available literature in PubMed, Medline, Ovid and secondary literature was searched regarding the available animal models for drug testing against pancreatic cancer. The models were analyzed regarding their pros and cons in anticancer drug testing.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The different modifications of the orthotopic model (especially in mice) seem at present to be the best model for anticancer testing in pancreatic carcinoma. The value of genetically engineered animal model (GEM) and syngeneic models is on debate. A good selection of the model concerning the questions supposed to be clarified may improve the comparability of the results of animal experiments compared to clinical trials.
authors.affiliation: Vivantes Hospital Spandau, Department of Surgery, Neue Bergstrasse 06, D-13585 Berlin, Germany +49 (0)30 130 132155 ; +49 (0)30130 132154 ; mkapischke@web.de.
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kapischke
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pries