An Overview of Preclinical Mouse Models for Brain Tumors

Abstract

  Careful examination using an appropriate experimental model is necessary to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying tumorigenesis and to develop new therapies. Cultured cell lines are an essential tools that are currently widely used in cancer research. However, those maintained under non-physiological conditions in vitro cannot necessarily accurately reflect the disease pathology that occurs in patients. Animal models are competent to faithfully recapitulate the biology and pathology of the human disease in vivo ; therefore more useful information can be obtained by selecting the appropriate animal model suitable for a particular experiment. This review outlines the basics, advantages, and limitations of the mouse models commonly used for current cancer research.