Experimental Breast Cancer Models: Preclinical Imaging Perspective.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer in women. 13% of breast cancer patients are at distant stage and mortality is due to metastases rather than primary disease. The unique genetic structure and natural process of breast cancer makes it a very suitable area for targeted therapies. Experimental tumor models are validated methods to examine the pathogenesis of cancer, the onset of the neoplastic process and progression. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to review the current literature on experimental breast cancer models and to bring a new perspective to the use of these models in teranostic preclinical studies in terms of the imaging. METHODS: Searching for relevant literature from academic databases using keywords (Breast cancer, theranostic, preclinical imaging, tumor models, animal study, tailored therapy). The full text of the articles was reached and reviewed. Current scientific data has been reevaluated and compiled according to subtitles. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The development of animal models for breast cancer research has been the last century. Imaging methods used in breast cancer are used for tumor localization, quantification of tumor mass, imaging of genes and proteins, evaluation of tumor microenvironment, evaluation of tumor cell proliferation and metabolism and treatment response evaluation. Since human breast cancer is a heterogeneous group of diseases in terms of genetics and phenotype; it is not possible for a single model to adequately address all aspects of breast cancer biology. Considering that each model has advantages and disadvantages compared to each other, the most suitable model should be chosen in order to verify the thesis of the study.