Transmissible Animal Tumors as Models for Cancer Research

Abstract

Transmissible and transplantable animal models of tumors were applied by many investigators to scrutinize the mechanisms involved during the progress of cancer to metastasis and to assess anticancer effects of the agents under investigations. Transmissible tumors have been stated in three wild species; these are devil facial tumors in Tasmanian devils, canine transmissible venereal tumors in dogs, and leukemia in soft-shelled clams. Otherwise, tumors can be transferred in humans through pregnancy, organ transplantation, and even accidentally from patient to surgeon. Nowadays, human tumor xenografting into mice has been broadly applied in cancer biology. Human-derived tumor models have been established by many publications to study tumor biology and drug therapeutic effects and resistance. This chapter gives an updated overview about the types of transmissible and transplantable animal models of tumors and their possible applicability to improve understanding the mechanisms and treatment of cancers as well as to identify therapeutic targets.