Background: Currently, there is a lack of an adequate rodent model for investigating surgical techniques and comprehensive treatment options for patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). This study presents a mouse model that involves the orthotopic implantation of colon cancer, followed by a limited colectomy, with the aim of addressing this issue.
Methods: To establish an early colon tumor model, luciferase-tagged CT-26 cells were implanted into the ascending colon wall of BALB/c mice. After a 1-week observation period, a limited colectomy procedure was performed. The progression of cancer and the impact of resection were monitored using bioluminescence imaging. Additionally, both short-term and long-term effects of surgical intervention were assessed.
Results: The study demonstrated a 100% success rate (40/40) in establishing the BALB/c mouse model of early colon cancer. The technical success rate of limited colectomy was also 100%, with no instances of early mortality or morbidity. After the limited colectomy procedure, none of the animals exhibited any primary tumors, bloody ascites, recurrence or local invasion, intestinal obstruction, lymph node metastasis, peritoneal seeding, or anastomotic leakage. Furthermore, there were no reported deaths during the postresection observation period in animals treated with limited colectomy.
Conclusion: In summary, our research group has successfully described a novel and reproducible surgical resection model for colon cancer in mice, which reflects the clinical scenario.
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2026 The Author(s). Animal Models and Experimental Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of The Chinese Association for Laboratory Animal Sciences.
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