Animal models for bladder cancer: The model establishment and evaluation

Bladder cancer is the most common type of tumor in the urogenital system. Approximately 75% of patients with bladder cancer present with non-muscle-invasive cancer, which is generally treated by transurethral resection and intravesical chemotherapy. In spite of different therapeutic options, there remains a very variable risk of recurrence and progression. Novel therapeutic methods of treating bladder cancer are urgently required. The exploration and preclinical evaluation of new treatments requires an animal tumor model that mimics the human counterpart. Animal models are key in bladder cancer research and provide a bridge to the clinic. Various animal bladder cancer models have been described to date, but the tumor take rate is reported to be 30-100%. Establishment of reliable, simple, practicable and reproducible animal models remains an ongoing challenge. The present review summarizes the latest developments with regard to the establishment of animal models and tumor evaluation.