Brain Metastasis Mouse Model

A brain metastasis mouse model is a preclinical experimental system used to study how cancer cells from a primary tumor site (like breast, lung, or melanoma) spread to and grow within the brain. These models are essential for understanding the biology of brain metastases and for testing new therapies.

• Method: Injection of tumor cells into the left ventricle of the heart.
• Purpose: Mimics hematogenous spread to the brain.
• Advantages: High reproducibility, relevant metastatic pattern.
• Disadvantages: Technically demanding.

• Method: Direct injection into the carotid artery.
• Purpose: Targets the brain more selectively than intracardiac.
• Advantages: Efficient brain colonization.
• Disadvantages: High surgical skill required.

• Method: Systemic injection via the tail vein.
• Purpose: Mimics general metastasis but often favors lungs over brain.
• Disadvantages: Poor brain specificity.

• Method: Implantation of tumor cells into the original site (e.g., mammary fat pad for breast cancer).
• Purpose: Natural progression to brain metastasis.
• Advantages: Mimics real disease course.
• Disadvantages: Long time for brain metastasis formation; lower incidence.

• Method: Direct injection of cancer cells into the brain.
• Purpose: Studies tumor growth in the brain microenvironment.
• Advantages: Fast tumor development.
• Disadvantages: Does not model metastatic spread.

• MDA-MB-231-BR: Breast cancer line selected for brain tropism.
• H2030-BrM3: Lung adenocarcinoma brain-seeking variant.
• A375Br: Melanoma with brain metastasis preference.

• Bioluminescence imaging (BLI) for tracking tumor growth.
• MRI or CT scans for anatomical visualization.
• Histology/IHC for pathological assessment.

• Studying mechanisms of brain colonization.
• Testing blood-brain barrier (BBB) penetration of drugs.
• Evaluating novel therapies, including immunotherapies and nanomedicines.