Rat Tumor Models

Nude Rat Studies

MDS in vivo Services include a full range of Oncology Studies in nude rats . This animal model is offered because studies typically executed in nude mice are subject to experimental limitations based on the animal's size. Factors such as dosing and tumor size endpoints in the nude mouse can ultimately limit the scope of a protocol.

At MDS we routinely perform tumor cell line studies in the nude rat, allowing for increased compound dosing and extended endpoints. These studies can be used to screen and optimize multiple compounds efficiently and cost effectively.

Colon Cancer

HCT-116 colon cancer cells were injected into female nude rats, reaching a mean target window size of 1700mg2000mg in 16-19 days. The target tumor size for test article administration in the nude mouse model is 100mg-200mg while the nude rat model allows for a 10x increase in tumor size, based on an endpoint of 5-10% of total body weight.

Bladder Cancer

The transitional cell carcinoma, SW-780, is maintained in vitro and when injected into nude mice has a take rate of approximately 85-90%. In untreated control mice, a mean target tumor size of 1000 mg is reached within 20 days. Paclitaxel, a known chemotherapeutic agent, will be used as a positive control, to limit subcutaneous SW-780 tumor growth in nude mice.