Non-human animal exhibiting bone metastasis of tumor cells

Abstract

The present invention provides a non-human bone metastasis model animal in which tumor cells capable of inducing bone metastasis by peripheral administration have been introduced, and a method for producing the animal. The bone metastasis model animal in the present invention may be useful for understanding the biology of bone metastasis and developing novel therapeutic strategies for lung cancer patient with multi-organ metastases, including bone metastasis

1 . A bone metastasis model rodent exhibiting bone metastasis of tumor cells, wherein a suspension comprising tumor cells has been introduced by a peripheral administration, wherein the rodent is an immunodeficient rodent, and the metastasis occurs in the rodent's own bone. 
     
     
         2 . The bone metastasis model rodent according to  claim 1 , wherein the animal exhibits multi-organ metastasis of tumor cells. 
     
     
         3 . The bone metastasis model rodent according to  claim 2 , wherein the multi-organ metastases include metastases to one or more organs selected from lung, liver, kidney, and lymph node. 
     
     
         4 . A method for producing a rodent exhibiting bone metastasis of tumor cells, comprising:
 (i) providing an immunodeficient rodent; and   (ii) introducing a suspension comprising tumor cells into the rodent by a peripheral administration, wherein the metastasis occurs in the rodent's own bone.   
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein the immunodeficient rodent is produced by inactivating NK cells in the rodent. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein the immunodeficient rodent is produced by reducing the number of NK cells in the rodent. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein the immunodeficient rodent is produced by depleting NK cells in the rodent. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein the immunodeficient rodent is produced by administering an anti-IL-2 receptor antibody to the rodent. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the antibody is an anti-IL-2 receptor β-chain antibody. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the antibody is derived from a rodent. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein the immunodeficient rodent is produced by administering an asialo-GM1 antibody. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein the immunodeficient rodent is produced by irradiating with an X-ray the whole body of the rodent.