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Yi-Teng Huang, Xiu-Kai Yin, Hao Zhang, Cancer Research Center, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong Province, China
Xue-Yun Zhong, Department of Pathology, Medical College, Jinan University, Guangzhou 510632, Guangdong Province, China
Hao Zhang, Department of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, Guangdong Province, China
Supported by: National Natural Science Foundation of China, Nos. 81071736, 30973508; the Research Fund for the Doctoral Program of Higher Education of China (RFDP), No. 20104402110005; and the Special Fund for University Talents of Guangdong Province, China, No. [2009]109; and the Key Science and Technology Project of Shantou, No. [2009]387.
Correspondence to: Professor Hao Zhang, Cancer Research Center, Shantou University Medical College, 22 Xinling Road, Shantou 515041, Guangdong Province, China. haozhang@stu.edu.cn
Received: March 22, 2011 Revised: May 9, 2011 Accepted: May 17, 2011 Published online: June 8, 2011
Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a common form of malignant disease. Appropriate animal models recapitulating human cancers, which are powerful not only for the elucidation of in vivo process and relevant mechanisms of the diseases but also for the evaluation of efficacy and safety of new drugs and management concepts, are critical for the success of translational research. In this context, compared with other malignancies, the present situation for human ESCC that novel discoveries for either diagnostic markers or therapeutic targets as well as the clinical application are out of step (laggard) is largely attributed to the lack of suitable in vivo animal model for this human disease. This article provides an overview of the currently available animal models established for human ESCC, encompassing chemically induced and genetically engineered rodents. Genetically engineered mice coupling induction with 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide (4NQO) are discussed in more detail.
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