An intrasplenic injection model of pancreatic cancer metastasis to the liver in mice

Here, we provide a protocol for an intrasplenic injection model to establish pancreatic tumors in the mouse liver. We describe the steps to inject tumor cells into mouse spleen and to perform a splenectomy, followed by animal recovery and end point analysis of tumors in the liver. This model allows rapid and reproducible tumor growth in a clinically relevant metastatic site, providing a platform to evaluate the efficacy of anti-cancer drugs. This technique can be expanded to other cancer cell lines. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Poh et al. (2022).1 [Display omitted] •A clinically relevant model to study pancreatic cancer metastasis in the mouse liver•Steps for tumor cell injection, splenectomy, animal recovery, and end point analysis•A platform to evaluate anti-cancer drugs and expandable to other cancer cell lines•Can be used to study tumor seeding, tumor cell-niche interactions, and cancer dormancy Publisher’s note: Undertaking any experimental protocol requires adherence to local institutional guidelines for laboratory safety and ethics. Here, we provide a protocol for an intrasplenic injection model to establish pancreatic tumors in the mouse liver. We describe the steps to inject tumor cells into mouse spleen and to perform a splenectomy, followed by animal recovery and end point analysis of tumors in the liver. This model allows rapid and reproducible tumor growth in a clinically relevant metastatic site, providing a platform to evaluate the efficacy of anti-cancer drugs. This technique can be expanded to other cancer cell lines.