Experimental Bladder Cancer Models for Animals

Transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) is the most common malignancy of the genitourinary tract and TCC models are being developed over the past decades. Experimental models are needed so that more effective treatments can be developed in preclinical evaluation. Even if, in vitro models are useful for initial development and evaluation of therapeutic agents and modalities, adequate animal models are still essential in the preclinical development of new effective and safe therapies. A great variety of ex vivo and in vivo models has been described in the literature. Chemical carcinogens are most commonly used to induce bladder cancer. Cell culture techniques are also widely used to study different oncological processes. To test potential new drugs in a preclinical setting, a clinically relevant orthotopic bladder tumor model is highly desirable. The aim of this review article was the assessment of different animal models available for the study of bladder carcinogenesis.