Researchers at King’s College London have explored the use of fertilized chicken eggs as an alternative model for preclinical cancer research. In a paper published in npj Imaging, the scientists highlight the ethical and economic advantages of using chicken eggs as a tool for studying cancer. Animal models, such as mice, are commonly used in cancer research to test drugs and diagnostic imaging. However, these models are expensive, time-consuming, and fraught with various challenges.
The researchers focused on the chicken chorioallantoic membrane (CAM), a highly vascularized membrane found in fertilized chicken eggs. The CAM provides an optimum environment for tumor growth and study. Despite its potential, previous studies examining the use of chick CAM for evaluating novel radiopharmaceuticals have been limited.
The findings of this study promote the use of chick CAM as an affordable and sustainable alternative to mouse models. It was discovered that tumors can be cultivated for imaging within just seven days using this method. Moreover, the cost of using 12 fertilized eggs amounted to only £45, resulting in a remarkable 97% savings compared to standard mouse xenografts.
Importantly, the fertilized chicken eggs yielded exceptionally clear tumor images, enabling the researchers to assess the delivery of tumor-targeting drugs and the effects of radiation therapy. Dr. Tim Witney, Reader in Molecular Imaging at the School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, expressed surprise at the success of this model, stating, “I initially thought all we’d produce is scrambled eggs, but this model was robust and versatile.”
While testing new imaging agents in cancer cells cultured in a petri dish can serve as an initial step, it has limitations in predicting their performance in the human body. Transitioning to mouse models of cancer is a costly and time-consuming process, with strict regulations to consider. The use of chicken eggs presents an intriguing intermediate step that could expedite the development of imaging agents at a fraction of the cost. Dr. Richard Southworth, Reader in Cardiac Molecular Imaging, expressed his enthusiasm for the study, saying, “I’m very pleased to see this work published—the endless egg puns have been no yolk.”
For the chick CAM model to be widely adopted in radiopharmaceutical research, a straightforward protocol needs to be established. The researchers conducted direct comparison studies to test the viability of the chick CAM method against mouse models. These studies demonstrated the potential of the chick CAM approach in facilitating the development of novel radiotracers and assessing treatment responses in a more efficient manner.
The use of fertilized chicken eggs as a model for cancer research holds promise as a cost-effective and ethical alternative to mouse models. This innovative approach enables researchers to obtain valuable tumor images and evaluate the efficacy of tumor-targeting drugs and radiation therapy. Continued development and acceptance of the chick CAM model could significantly accelerate the progress of cancer imaging research.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it.
