Background/aim: To develop and characterize the pre-clinical suitability of a syngeneic mouse epithelial ovarian cancer model in immunocompetent hosts.
Materials and methods: ID8 mouse ovarian surface epithelium cells were implanted into the left ovarian bursa of C57BL/6 mice. Using conventional as well as ultrasound-based techniques and histopathological analysis, the tumor weights, volumes, metastases, ascites and vascularity were observed over a period of 16 weeks.
Results: Ovarian weights and volume increased 12- and 7-fold, respectively. Ultrasound measurements of ovarian ID8 tumors correlated with the actual size obtained following surgical excision. Ascites and metastasis were first observed at 12 weeks post-orthotopic implantation. Histopathological analysis indicated similarities between orthotopically-generated ovarian tumors and human ovarian tumors. However, there was less evidence of angiogenesis in this animal model.
Conclusion: The development of this mouse model closely replicates characteristics seen in human ovarian cancer with feasibility of using ultrasound to assess tumor formation, progression and vascularization.