Establishment single lung tumors through orthotopic injection.

Abstract

Lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer-related deaths, is often diagnosed at advanced stages, resulting in low survival rates. Despite the widespread use of subcutaneous murine models in preclinical research, they fail to replicate the complexity of the tumor microenvironment. Recent studies highlight the importance of understanding the tumor microenvironment in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), particularly in relation to therapies like radiotherapy and immunotherapy. The orthotopic lung cancer model, which more accurately mirrors human lung cancer, is gaining traction as it better reflects tumor progression, metastasis, and microenvironment interactions. Tumor volume can be measured using Luciferase Bioluminescence (BLI) or Computerized Tomography (CT). The orthotopic model is crucial for developing new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for lung cancer. This chapter outlines a protocol for orthotopic tumor implantation in mice.