Animal models of cholangiocarcinoma: What they teach us about the human disease

Clin Res Hepatol Gastroenterol. 2018 Oct;42(5):403-415. doi: 10.1016/j.clinre.2018.04.008. Epub 2018 May 9.

Abstract

Despite recent advances, pathogenesis of cholangiocarcinoma, a highly lethal cancer, remains enigmatic. Furthermore, treatment options are still limited and often disappointing. For this reason, in the last few years there has been a mounting interest towards the generation of experimental models able to reproduce the main features associated with this aggressive behavior. Toxic and infestation-induced, genetically engineered and cell implantation rodent models have been generated, contributing to a deeper understanding of the complex cell biology of the tumor, sustained by multiple cell interactions and driven by a huge variety of molecular perturbations. Herein, we will overview the most relevant animal models of biliary carcinogenesis, highlighting the methodological strategy, the molecular, histological and clinical phenotypes consistent with the human condition, their particular strengths and weaknesses and the novel therapeutic approaches that have been developed.

Keywords: Genetically engineered mouse models; Primary liver cancer; Syngeneic models; Toxic models; Xenotransplantation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bile Duct Neoplasms*
  • Cholangiocarcinoma*
  • Disease Models, Animal*
  • Humans