Animal models as a tool in hepatocellular carcinoma research: A Review.

Cancer is the first cause of death in developed countries and the second in developing countries. Concerning the most frequent worldwide-diagnosed cancer, primary liver cancer represents approximately 4% of all new cancer cases diagnosed globally. However, among primary liver cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma is by far the most common histological subtype.

The N-nitrosodiethylamine mouse model: sketching a timeline of evolution of chemically-induced hepatic lesions.

Background/aim: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a frequent and aggressive malignancy associated with multiple environmental risk factors. The chemically-induced mouse model of diethylnitrosamine (DEN) provides useful insight into liver carcinogenesis, namely HCC. This work aimed to study the multistep process of hepato-carcinogenesis, providing a systematic framework for animal studies on this subject.

N-diethylnitrosamine mouse hepatotoxicity: time-related effects on histology and oxidative stress.

Animal models, namely mice, have been used to study chemically induced carcinogenesis due to their similarity to the histological and genetic features of human patients. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignancy with poor clinical outcome. The high incidence of HCC might be related to exposure to known risk factors, including carcinogenic compounds, such as N-nitrosamines, which cause DNA damage.

Histology, bioenergetics and oxidative stress in mouse liver exposed to N-diethylnitrosamine.

Background: A mouse model in which N-diethylnitrosamine (DEN) induces Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has histological and genetic resemblance to human tumours.

Material And Methods: Male ICR mice were divided into control (n=10) and DEN-treated (n=10) groups. DEN was administered via intraperitoneal injection, once a week, for eight consecutive weeks.