Abstract
Mice have been used as laboratory animals for many years to study the spontaneous and experimental causes, mechanisms, and pathogeneses of cancer; the carcinogenesis assessment of chemicals; and the development of methods for the evaluation of therapies and chemopreventative agents. Only during the past 15 years have genetically engineered mice been used to study, in more detail, the molecular pathogenesis of cancer, especially as mouse models of specific types of cancer that occur in humans.
Mouse Models of Human Cancer provides detailed reviews of the mouse models, especially of genetically engineered mice. The 63 coauthors are generally experts in their fields. Major human cancer sites reviewed include lung, mammary gland, prostate, skin, ovary, peripheral and central nervous systems, and myeloid and lymphoid tumors. Other sites are not included. The organ site reviews are generally excellent, with comparative clinical and pathologic features to human cancers; tumor biology; mouse models with detailed tables; mouse tumor pathology classifications, which follow the newly published National Cancer Institute mouse models of human classifications, where applicable; and numerous references.
The figures are largely the only negative component of an otherwise excellent, comprehensive book. Most histopathology figures are in black and white; eight pages of color plates are in the center of the book but are not embedded in their chapters. The figures are generally too small, of low quality, or both, similar to those frequently observed in major research journals publishing on genetically engineered mice. The charts and schemes included are generally a nice addition to each chapter.
Chapters on techniques and issues including mouse handling and engineering, issues in cancer biology, imaging technologies, and preclinical trials are also included. In fact, they make up 269 pages of the 474-page book. The chapter by Bob Cardiff (University of California–Davis) is particularly useful for pathologists not familiar with mice and for nonpathologists, especially investigators who produce the engineered mice. Steve Barthold briefly reviews infectious agents of mice and some of his special insights into problems with genetically engineered mice (his book with Dean Percy being the ultimate reference).
Mouse Models of Human Cancer is an excellent, useful reference for pathologists and scientists interested in mice as models for studying human cancer.