Mammary cancer modelling: from in vitro to in vivo

Abstract

The incidence and mortality of breast cancer has increased over the years. This disease was first described in the year 3000 BC by Edwin Smith Papyrus as a serious disease with no known treatment. Currently the design of strategies for the prevention, detection and treatment of breast cancer remains necessary. For this, it is extremely important to use alternative models to humans.

The use of animals for experimental purposes began many centuries ago (2000 years BC), with the Babylonians and the Assyrians using animals to perform surgeries. In vitro models are relatively recent compared to in vivo models, as the first breast cancer cell line (BT-20) was only discovered in 1958 by Lasfargues and Ozzello. In vivo models are the most used as they almost entirely mimic the behavior of the neoplasm in the body. In 1965, Howell performed the first study of chemically induced mammary carcinogenesis in rats. Subsequently, the need arose for the creation of genetically modified animals to reduce as much as possible the differences in tumor mechanisms. Even so, it is not possible to 100% mimic the process of human carcinogenesis in these animals due to their high complexity and limited number of genes.

Currently there are a variety of in vitro and in vivo models for the study of breast cancer. Choosing the most suitable animal model is one of the most important steps in the experimental design. The purpose of the work and the type of data that can be obtained from the animal model are fundamental aspects to be considered. All models have advantages and disadvantages, and their selection deserves careful consideration considering the work objectives.