title: Emerging and Evolving Ovarian Cancer Animal Models.
abstract: Ovarian cancer (OC) is the leading cause of death from a gynecological malignancy in the United States. By the time a woman is diagnosed with OC, the tumor has usually metastasized. Mouse models that are used to recapitulate different aspects of human OC have been evolving for nearly 40 years. Xenograft studies in immunocompromised and immunocompetent mice have enhanced our knowledge of metastasis and immune cell involvement in cancer. Patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) can accurately reflect metastasis, response to therapy, and diverse genetics found in patients. Additionally, multiple genetically engineered mouse models have increased our understanding of possible tissues of origin for OC and what role individual mutations play in establishing ovarian tumors. Many of these models are used to test novel therapeutics. As no single model perfectly copies the human disease, we can use a variety of OC animal models in hypothesis testing that will lead to novel treatment options. The goal of this review is to provide an overview of the utility of different mouse models in the study of OC and their suitability for cancer research.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine-South Bend, South Bend, IN, USA. ; Harper Cancer Research Institute, South Bend, IN, USA.
authors.forename: Alexander S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Bobbs
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine-South Bend, South Bend, IN, USA. ; Harper Cancer Research Institute, South Bend, IN, USA.
authors.forename: Jennifer M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Cole
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine-South Bend, South Bend, IN, USA. ; Harper Cancer Research Institute, South Bend, IN, USA. ; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, USA. ; Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center, Indianapolis, IN, USA.
authors.forename: Karen D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Cowden Dahl
keywords: Adeno-Cre; genetically engineered mouse models; high-grade serous ovarian cancer; ovarian cancer; patient-derived xenograft; xenograft