Murine and canine models of appendicular osteosarcoma.

Appendicular osteosarcoma (OSA) is a primary bone sarcoma affecting humans during their second decade of life. Despite aggressive surgical and chemotherapeutic interventions, 30% of patients will experience progressive metastatic disease within 5 years of diagnosis. Understanding the biology of pediatric OSA and potential targets for therapeutic development remains an area of focus for both basic scientists and clinical oncologists. The identification and study of relevant comparative tumor models in mice and canines may allow for a better understanding of OSA biology, and permit the rapid investigation of novel therapeutic strategies for managing this metastatic bone sarcoma. This unit provides a protocol for using an orthotopic, syngeneic murine model of appendicular OSA as an investigative tool for the study of OSA biology. Additionally, the comparative relevance of spontaneously occurring appendicular OSA in canines for the study of pediatric bone sarcomas is discussed.