Zebrafi sh as a model for human osteosarcoma

Abstract

For various reasons involving biological comparativeness, expansive technological possibilities, accelerated experimental speed, and competitive costs, zebrafi sh has become a comprehensive model for cancer research. Hence, zebrafi sh embryos and full-grown fi sh have been instrumental for studies of leukemia, melanoma, pancreatic cancer, bone tumors, and other malignancies. Although because of its similarities to human osteogenesis zebrafi sh appears to be an appealing model to investigate osteosarcoma, only a few osteosarcoma specifi c studies have been accomplished yet. Here, we review interesting related and unrelated reports of which the fi ndings might be extrapolated to osteosarcoma. More importantly, rational but yet unexplored applications of zebrafi sh are debated to expand the window of opportunities for future establishment of osteosarcoma models. Accordingly technological advances of zebrafi sh based cancer research, such as robotic high-throughput multicolor injection systems and advanced imaging methods are discussed. Furthermore, various use of zebrafi sh embryos for screening drug regimens by combinations of chemotherapy, novel drug deliverers, and immune system modulators are suggested. Concerning the etiology, the high degree of genetic similarity between zebrafi sh and human cancers indicates that affected regions are evolution-arily conserved. Therefore, zebrafi sh as a swift model system that allows for the investigation of multiple candidate gene-defects is presented.