Animal models for colon carcinogenesis
S. E. Pories, N. Ramchurren, I. Summerhayes and G. Steele
Department of Surgery, New England Deaconess Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass.
Recent identification of genetic alterations in colon polyps and tumors has
allowed construction of a hypothesis for the molecular basis of colon
carcinogenesis. The consistency of observed genetic changes has inspired
enthusiastic anticipation of new diagnostic tools and interventions for
colon cancer. Appropriate animal models are crucial to the testing of
molecular postulates as well as the development of markers and therapies
for colon carcinogenesis. We discuss herein the various animal models that
are currently used for the study of colon cancer as well as those that hold
promise for the future. The contributions, drawbacks, and potential uses
for the chemical carcinogen model, the multiple intestinal neoplasia model,
transgenic animals, and the reconstruction model in the study of colon
carcinoma are presented.
