A novel xenograft model with intrinsic vascularisation for growing undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma NOS in mice.

Purpose: Preclinical development of antisarcoma therapy is primarily based on the subcutaneous transplantation of sarcoma xenografts. Tumour cell survival remains a hurdle of current models, which has been attributed to the hypoxic conditions following transplantation. We hypothesised that sarcoma models with an intrinsic tissue-engineered vascular supply are easily reproducible. The aim of this study was to establish a novel vascularised xenograft model.

Materials And Methods: Primary human soft tissue sarcomas were transplanted into a silicon chamber and placed around the superficial epigastric vessels of nude mice. Sarcoma xenograft samples were assessed histomorphologically.

Results: All sarcoma xenografts engrafted, leading to solid tumours. Histological, immunohistochemical staining and light/electron microscopy confirmed the xenografts as identical high-grade pleomorphic sarcomas (NOS) compared with the original patients' tumours.

Conclusion: This novel sarcoma xenograft model with an intrinsic vascular supply could be of high value for studying human soft tissue sarcomas and their therapy.