The link between genetic induced obesity and cancer
Obesity is linked to 15-20% of deaths related to cancer. As the global obesity epidemic intensifies, understanding the connection between obesity and cancer is a critical health issue. In particular, research that specifically aims at determining how cancer cells exploit the obese environment in the cancer patient is essential.
Purpose: In this study we aim to map the role of obesity-induced tumor growth in genetic models of obesity (ob/ob mice).
Expected harm on the animals: The mice will be exposed to tumors. The tumors will be removed before they reach a lethal size (<1000mm3).
How many and what type of animals will be used: This application covers the use of 380 mice.
The C57Bl6 mouse strain is used as it is prone to obesity and obesity-related diseases as well as tumor development.
Inclusion of the the principles of the three R’s. Replacement: The principle aims of this study are to characterize the consequence of genetically induced obesity on tumor progression. Tumor progression is a complex process, encompassing events such as invasive growth, angiogenesis, interaction with immune cells and other members of the microenvironment. The use of traditional in vitro assays do not recapitulate all of these processes. In this regard, mouse xenograft models represent an appropriate system to study the tumor growth. Reduction: The combined experience from our and other groups over the past 8 years have found that the minimum number of animals required to detect significant biological meaningful differences in tumor growth using the bioluminescence/calipers are 6 mice per cohort. We will strictly adhere to this, to ensure no overuse of mice. We also include tumors of both sexes, so to maximize the use of breeding offspring. Refinement: The group have extensive experience in performing tumor implantation procedures, which ensure fast and reliable injections that inflicts as little pain as possible for the mice.
Purpose: In this study we aim to map the role of obesity-induced tumor growth in genetic models of obesity (ob/ob mice).
Expected harm on the animals: The mice will be exposed to tumors. The tumors will be removed before they reach a lethal size (<1000mm3).
How many and what type of animals will be used: This application covers the use of 380 mice.
The C57Bl6 mouse strain is used as it is prone to obesity and obesity-related diseases as well as tumor development.
Inclusion of the the principles of the three R’s. Replacement: The principle aims of this study are to characterize the consequence of genetically induced obesity on tumor progression. Tumor progression is a complex process, encompassing events such as invasive growth, angiogenesis, interaction with immune cells and other members of the microenvironment. The use of traditional in vitro assays do not recapitulate all of these processes. In this regard, mouse xenograft models represent an appropriate system to study the tumor growth. Reduction: The combined experience from our and other groups over the past 8 years have found that the minimum number of animals required to detect significant biological meaningful differences in tumor growth using the bioluminescence/calipers are 6 mice per cohort. We will strictly adhere to this, to ensure no overuse of mice. We also include tumors of both sexes, so to maximize the use of breeding offspring. Refinement: The group have extensive experience in performing tumor implantation procedures, which ensure fast and reliable injections that inflicts as little pain as possible for the mice.