title: Induction of VX2 para-renal carcinoma in rabbits: generation of animal model for loco-regional treatments of solid tumors.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Animal models of para-renal cancer can provide useful information for the evaluation of tumor response to loco-regional therapy experiments in solid tumors. The aim of our study was to establish a rabbit para-renal cancer model using locally implanted VX2 tumors.
  
  
  METHODS
  In order to generate a rabbit model of para-renal cancer, we established four hind limb donor rabbits by using frozen VX2 tumor samples. Following inoculation, rabbits were monitored for appetite and signs of pain. Viable tumors appeared as palpable nodules within 2 weeks of inoculation. Tumor growth was confirmed in all rabbits by high-resolution ultrasound analysis and histology. Once tumor growth was established, hind limb tumors extraction was used for tumor line propagation and para-renal tumor creation. Twenty-one rabbit models bearing para-renal cancer were established by implanting VX2 tumor into the para-renal capsula. Tumors developed into discreet 2-3 cm nodules within 1-3 weeks of implantation. Serial renal ultrasonography follow-up, starting 1 week after tumor implantation, was performed. Two weeks after tumor implantation, rabbits were euthanized and tumors and other organs were collected for histopathology.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Tumor growth after VX2 tumor fragment implantation was confirmed in all rabbits by high-resolution ultrasound (US) imaging examinations of the para-renal regions and was measured with digital caliper. The para-renal injection of VX2 tumor fragments, achieved tumor growth in 100% of cases. All data were confirmed by histological analysis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We generated for the first time, a model of para-renal cancer by surgical tumor implantation of VX2 frozen tumor fragments into rabbit's para-renal region. This method minimizes the development of metastases and the use of non-necrotic tumors and will optimize the evaluation of tumor response to loco-regional therapy experiments.
authors.affiliation: Division of Abdominal Surgical Oncology, Hepatobiliary Unit, Istituto Nazionale per lo studio e la cura dei Tumori "Fondazione G. Pascale", IRCCS, Via Mariano Semmola, 80131 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Sabrina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bimonte
authors.affiliation: Division of Abdominal Surgical Oncology, Hepatobiliary Unit, Istituto Nazionale per lo studio e la cura dei Tumori "Fondazione G. Pascale", IRCCS, Via Mariano Semmola, 80131 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Maddalena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Leongito
authors.affiliation: Division of Abdominal Surgical Oncology, Hepatobiliary Unit, Istituto Nazionale per lo studio e la cura dei Tumori "Fondazione G. Pascale", IRCCS, Via Mariano Semmola, 80131 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Piccirillo
authors.affiliation: Center of Biotechnologies, Antonio Cardarelli Hospital, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Luisa
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Tamma
authors.affiliation: Center of Biotechnologies, Antonio Cardarelli Hospital, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Marianna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vallifuoco
authors.affiliation: Center of Biotechnologies, Antonio Cardarelli Hospital, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Adele
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bracco
authors.affiliation: Center of Biotechnologies, Antonio Cardarelli Hospital, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mancini
authors.affiliation: Center of Biotechnologies, Antonio Cardarelli Hospital, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Di Napoli
authors.affiliation: Center of Biotechnologies, Antonio Cardarelli Hospital, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Sigismondo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Castaldo
authors.affiliation: Center of Biotechnologies, Antonio Cardarelli Hospital, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Santolo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cozzolino
authors.affiliation: Institute of Radiology, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Iacobellis
authors.affiliation: Institute of Radiology, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Grassi
authors.affiliation: Division of Radiology, Istituto Nazionale per lo studio e la cura dei Tumori "Fondazione G. Pascale",-IRCCS, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Vincenza
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Granata
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Radiotherapy, Division of Nuclear Medicine, Istituto Nazionale Tumori "Fondazione G.Pascale" - IRCCS, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Secondo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lastoria
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030 USA.
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Curley
authors.affiliation: Division of Abdominal Surgical Oncology, Hepatobiliary Unit, Istituto Nazionale per lo studio e la cura dei Tumori "Fondazione G. Pascale", IRCCS, Via Mariano Semmola, 80131 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Izzo
keywords: Kidney; Para-renal neoplasm; Rabbits; VX2