Metastasis models using green fluorescent protein (GFP) as a marker
DC CAFCFirst Claim
1. A method to evaluate a candidate protocol or drug for the inhibition of metastasis of a primary tumor which method comprises:
- administering said protocol or drug to a subject which is a mouse, rat or rabbit which contains a primary tumor that stably expresses green fluorescent protein (GFP) in cells of said tumor when said tumor metastasizes and monitoring the progression of metastasis by observing the presence, absence or intensity of the fluorescence at various locations in the treated subject;
wherein said subject contains said tumor that expresses GFP and wherein said subject is a genetically immunocompromised mouse, rat or rabbit, or a mouse, rat or rabbit which is syngeneic to said tumor;
monitoring the progression of metastasis in a control, which contains a similar tumor that expresses green fluorescent protein;
wherein said control subject contains said tumor that expresses GFP wherein said control subject is an immunocompromised mouse, rat or rabbit, or a mouse, rat or rabbit which is syngeneic to said tumor; and
comparing the progression of metastasis in said treated subject with the progression of metastasis in said control subject wherein the control subject and treated subject are intact;
whereby a diminution of the progression of metastasis in said treated subject as compared to said control subject identifies the protocol or drug as effective in inhibiting metastasis.
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Abstract
A method to follow the progression of metastasis of a primary tumor, which method comprises removing fresh organ tissues from a vertebrate subject which has been modified to contain tumor cells that express GFP and observing the excised tissues for the presence of fluorescence is disclosed. The fluorescence can also be monitored by observing the tissues in situ. Vertebrate subjects which contain GFP producing tumors are useful models to study the mechanism of metastasis, as well as to evaluate candidate protocols and drugs. In addition, subjects already harboring tumors can be treated so as to modify the endogenous tumors to contain GFP. This permits clinical applications. Finally, by injecting a contrast dye into a subject harboring a GFP-labeled tumor, angiogenesis in the tumor can be observed directly.
53 Citations
12 Claims
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1. A method to evaluate a candidate protocol or drug for the inhibition of metastasis of a primary tumor which method comprises:
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administering said protocol or drug to a subject which is a mouse, rat or rabbit which contains a primary tumor that stably expresses green fluorescent protein (GFP) in cells of said tumor when said tumor metastasizes and monitoring the progression of metastasis by observing the presence, absence or intensity of the fluorescence at various locations in the treated subject;
wherein said subject contains said tumor that expresses GFP and wherein said subject is a genetically immunocompromised mouse, rat or rabbit, or a mouse, rat or rabbit which is syngeneic to said tumor;
monitoring the progression of metastasis in a control, which contains a similar tumor that expresses green fluorescent protein;
wherein said control subject contains said tumor that expresses GFP wherein said control subject is an immunocompromised mouse, rat or rabbit, or a mouse, rat or rabbit which is syngeneic to said tumor; and
comparing the progression of metastasis in said treated subject with the progression of metastasis in said control subject wherein the control subject and treated subject are intact;
whereby a diminution of the progression of metastasis in said treated subject as compared to said control subject identifies the protocol or drug as effective in inhibiting metastasis. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method to monitor metastasis of a primary tumor in a subject which is a mouse, rat or rabbit which contains said primary tumor, and wherein said tumor stably expresses green fluorescent protein (GFP) in cells of said tumor when said tumor metastasizes,
wherein said subject contains said tumor that expresses GFP and wherein said subject is a genetically immunocompromised mouse, rat or rabbit, or a mouse, rat or rabbit which is syngeneic to said tumor; which method comprises monitoring the progression of metastasis by observing the presence, absence or intensity of the fluorescence as a function of time at various locations in said subject wherein the subject is intact. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
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9. A method to monitor metastasis of a primary tumor in a mammalian subject which contains said primary tumor, and wherein said tumor stably expresses green fluorescent protein (GFP) in cells of said tumor when said tumor metastasizes,
wherein said primary tumor is endogenous to said mammalian subject and expresses said GFP as a result of locally administering a retroviral vector to said subject in the vicinity of said tumor, said retroviral vector containing an expression system for said GFP; which method comprises monitoring the progression of metastasis by observing the presence, absence or intensity of the fluorescence as a function of time at various locations in said subject. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
Specification