May 2004
Volume 45, Issue 13
Free
ARVO Annual Meeting Abstract  |   May 2004
Uveal melanoma progression in an animal model
Author Affiliations & Notes
  • P.L. Blanco
    Pathology, McGill University, Montreal, PQ, Canada
  • S.A. Callejo
    Pathology, McGill University, Montreal, PQ, Canada
  • J.–C.A. Marshall
    Pathology, McGill University, Montreal, PQ, Canada
  • E. Antecka
    Pathology, McGill University, Montreal, PQ, Canada
  • J.P. Souza Filho
    Pathology, McGill University, Montreal, PQ, Canada
  • M. Mansour
    Pathology, McGill University, Montreal, PQ, Canada
  • M.N. Burnier Jr
    Pathology, McGill University, Montreal, PQ, Canada
  • Footnotes
    Commercial Relationships  P.L. Blanco, None; S.A. Callejo, None; J.A. Marshall, None; E. Antecka, None; J.P. Souza Filho, None; M. Mansour, None; M.N. Burnier Jr, None.
  • Footnotes
    Support  none
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science May 2004, Vol.45, 1221. doi:
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      P.L. Blanco, S.A. Callejo, J.–C.A. Marshall, E. Antecka, J.P. Souza Filho, M. Mansour, M.N. Burnier Jr; Uveal melanoma progression in an animal model . Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2004;45(13):1221.

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      © ARVO (1962-2015); The Authors (2016-present)

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Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose:Animal models of uveal melanoma, particularly the albino rabbit model, have played a fundamental role in both advancing our understanding of this life–threatening disease and improving the diagnosis and therapeutic strategies. However, the time–course of primary tumor and metastasis development following the inoculation of human uveal melanoma cells in the rabbit eye remains unknown. The aim of this study is to provide a better understanding of uveal melanoma progression in an animal model. Methods:Twenty albino rabbits were injected with 1x106 92.1 human uveal melanoma cells into the suprachoroidal space. Animals were immunosuppressed using cyclosporin A during the 10–week experiment. One animal was euthanized per week in order to evaluate progression of the disease. The remaining animals were sacrificed and autopsied at the end of the experiment. The primary tumor and the lungs were explored. H&E staining of formalin–fixed, paraffin–embedded sections of the specimens was performed. Intraocular tumor growth was evaluated by fundoscopy. Ultrasound was performed on the surviving animals during the last week of the experiment. Peripheral blood samples were extracted weekly. The presence of circulating malignant cells (CMC) was evaluated by culturing of the mononuclear layer obtained by Ficoll technique. Results: Intraocular tumor development was found in the first sacrificed animal one week after cell implantation. All animals showed intraocular tumors thereafter. Intraocular tumors were detectable by fundoscopy only at the 2nd week after cell implantation. The average tumor dimensions by ultrasonography were 10.1 mm in length, 10.0 mm in width and 7.5 mm in height. Ciliary body involvement was found in 40% of the animals. Gross examination of the lungs detected multiple nodular lesions compatible with metastasis at the 7th week. Microscopic pulmonary metastatic foci were first observed at the 4th week. Metastases were fully developed in 100% of the animals at the end of the animal model. Viable adherent cells were successfully isolated from peripheral blood samples and cultured. Cells from 4 animal blood samples so far, the first one extracted at the 6th week, were positively identified as uveal melanoma through immunostaining of cytospins using HMB–45. Conclusions: We are reporting the time–course of uveal melanoma progression in the albino rabbit model. Additionally, we showed that CMC can be isolated from peripheral blood and maintain their capacity to proliferate in vitro. Understanding the progression of the disease in this model is crucial for the design of pre–clinical studies.

Keywords: melanoma • tumors 
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