Background/aim: Circulating tumor cells (CTCs), cancer cells that disseminate from primary tumors and enter the bloodstream in the course of metastasis, may serve as an important indicator of metastatic disease and poor prognosis in patients with cancer. The aim of this study was to establish a preclinical animal model for detecting and studying human CTCs.
Materials and methods: We performed a renal subcapsular implantation of human cancer cells in immunodeficient mice and recorded primary tumor growth, CTCs, and metastatic tumor development.
Results: Immunofluorescence, or immunohistochemical staining and whole-body imaging analysis revealed that the implanted cells developed primary renal tumors, CTCs were detected, and successfully established metastatic tumors in several organs, including the lung, colon, and lymph nodes, depending on the implanted cells.
Conclusion: This model may be useful for detecting and characterizing CTCs and for investigating the mechanisms underlying the course of tumor metastasis.
Keywords: Circulating tumor cells; RCC; metastasis; murine model; renal subcapsular implantation.