Swine in Biomedical Research Conference 2005, Chicago, IL. Abstract CA1.
Given differences in some aspects of the process of tumorigenesis between humans and mice, we sought to exploit the pig as an experimental and preclinical model for human cancer. Pigs offer the advantage of having a similar size, diet, metabolism, and anatomy to humans. To this end, we have shown that porcine cells can be genetically converted to a tumorigenic state, as assessed in immunocompromised mice, by expression of genes known to promote tumorigenic growth of human cells. Moreover, when such cells are returned to the host animal, tumors grew. However, this growth depended on suppression of the immune system, likely owing to the reliance on expressing human genes for this tumorigenic conversion. Future studies will determine whether porcine cells can be driven to malignant fatesand the need for immunosuppression can be over-come in pigs through the use of porcine genes to drive tumorigenesis. Ultimately, if we are successful in creating a non-immunocompromised porcine tumorigenesis model, we will use the ability to clone pigs to create a tumor model system that employs genetically identical animals with genetically identical tumors for pharmaceutical screening of anti-cancer therapeutics.