An intrasplenic injection model of pancreatic cancer metastasis to the liver in mice

Summary

Here, we provide a protocol for an intrasplenic injection model to establish pancreatic tumors in the mouse liver. We describe the steps to inject tumor cells into mouse spleen and to perform a splenectomy, followed by animal recovery and end point analysis of tumors in the liver. This model allows rapid and reproducible tumor growth in a clinically relevant metastatic site, providing a platform to evaluate the efficacy of anti-cancer drugs. This technique can be expanded to other cancer cell lines.

For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Poh et al. (2022). ¹

Graphical abstract

Highlights

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  A clinically relevant model to study pancreatic cancer metastasis in the mouse liver

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  Steps for tumor cell injection, splenectomy, animal recovery, and end point analysis

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  A platform to evaluate anti-cancer drugs and expandable to other cancer cell lines

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  Can be used to study tumor seeding, tumor cell-niche interactions, and cancer dormancy

Abstract

Publisher’s note: Undertaking any experimental protocol requires adherence to local institutional guidelines for laboratory safety and ethics.

Abstract

Here, we provide a protocol for an intrasplenic injection model to establish pancreatic tumors in the mouse liver. We describe the steps to inject tumor cells into mouse spleen and to perform a splenectomy, followed by animal recovery and end point analysis of tumors in the liver. This model allows rapid and reproducible tumor growth in a clinically relevant metastatic site, providing a platform to evaluate the efficacy of anti-cancer drugs. This technique can be expanded to other cancer cell lines.