OBJECTIVEThe aim of this study was to establish patient-derived lung cancer xenograft models in nude mice by subcutaneous and subrenal capsule transplantation, and to analyze the differences in biological characteristics of the xenografts.

METHODSSurgically resected lung cancer specimens from 11 patients were implanted subcutaneously and under the renal capsule in nude mice. The tumor growth and histopathological features were observed and human origin of the blood vessels in the first-generation xenograft tumors was evaluated by SP immunohistochemistry using anti-human CD31 antibody.

RESULTSThe patient-derived lung cancer tissues were successfully implanted subcutaneously and under the renal capsule in 11 nude mice. The operation time of subcutaneous implantation was 13 min, and the tumor formation rate was 36.4% (4/11). The operation time of implantation under the renal capsule was 45 min, and the tumor formation rate was 45.5% (5/11). Histopathological examination of the xenografts using HE staining showed the same morphology of the human lung cancers, and immunohistochemical observation with CD31staining showed that 83.3% (5/6) blood vessels in the xenograft tumors was of human origin.

CONCLUSIONSBoth methods of subcutaneous and subrenal capsule transplantation can be used to successfully establish patient-derived lung cancer xenograft models in nude mice. The subcutaneous implantation is simple to operate, less time-comsuming, and easy to observe the tumor growth, but with a lower success rate of tumor formation. Transplantation under the renal capsule has a higher tumor formation rate, but is more difficult to operate, taking more time, and difficult to observe the growth of the tumor. The xenograft tumors formed by both methods in the first generation display biological characteristics of human lung cancer, the xenograft tumor models are close to human lung cancer, and therefore may provide a stable, reliable, and useful animal model in human lung cancer research.