How reliable is the hamster model for OM? Paliferm
Post# of 72440
"Antimucotoxic agents progress from discovery to animal models to clinical trials in the hope of being the next palifermin. In animal models, palifermin was shown to protect against mucositis by improving weight loss and crypt survival, protecting the oral mucosa, and reducing diarrhea and mortality. In the clinical setting, studies have consistently shown benefit in patients receiving palifermin with less severe and shorter-duration oral mucositis."
Sounds familiar?
"Another model which has significantly advanced the understanding of the mechanisms of oral mucositis is the hamster model, which was first described in 1990 and has been used extensively by Stephen Sonis and colleagues."
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/5174...or_Therapy
Assessment of the hamster cheek pouch as a model for radiation-induced oral mucositis, and evaluation of the protective effects of keratinocyte growth factor using this model.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Oral mucositis induced by radiotherapy impacts quality of life. Previous studies have reported on the use of the hamster as a model for radiation-induced oral mucositis; however, details regarding factors such as radiation dose response, effects on myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and related histopathological changes remain unclear. In the present study using the hamster, we evaluated the dose dependency of radiation-induced oral mucositis and the effects of keratinocyte growth factor (palifermin).
METHODS: Oral mucositis was induced in the cheek pouch by X-irradiation using single doses in the range 20-50 Gy. To evaluate the protective effect of palifermin, administration was carried out (5 mg/kg) on days 1, 2 and 3 or on days 9, 10 and 11 after single irradiation at a dose of 40 Gy.
RESULTS: The oral mucositis score, MPO activity and histopathological findings of inflammation increased in a dose dependent manner. Palifermin treatment stimulated the proliferation of mucosal epithelial cells. Additionally, palifermin when administered on days 1, 2 and 3 after irradiation (40 Gy) reduced the severity of oral mucositis.
CONCLUSIONS: The hamster was found to be a suitable model for radiation-induced oral mucositis, with excellent results regarding the evaluation of radiation dose response and drug reactivity.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24827853
" Hamsters provide an excellent model for oral mucositis because of several biological similarities to humans. Furthermore, the cheek pouch is pliable and can be extracted such that radiation can be targeted to the cheek pouch while the rest of the animal is shielded."
http://www.biomodels.com/animal-models/cancer...cositis-2/