Spontaneous adenocarcinoma mouse models for immunotherapy

Recent discoveries regarding the identification of tumor-associated antigens and antigen presentation have made successful immunotherapy strategies possible with little, if any, toxicity. Here, we describe transgenic mammary, pancreas, prostate, stomach and lung adenocarcinoma animal models that can be used to study various immunotherapeutic strategies. The challenge in developing a tumor vaccine is effective antigen presentation that elicits anti-tumor immune responses without precipitating autoimmunity. Clinical trials must be preceded by appropriate animal studies to demonstrate that the concepts can be translated into efficacious therapy for cancer. Although many xenograph or transplantable tumor models have been used, the most effective studies are in spontaneous tumor models. These models are clinically relevant, as tumors arise in an appropriate tissue background and in a host conditioned by the physiological events of neoplastic progression and tumorigenesis and in the context of a viable immune system.