A novel mouse model of orthotopic extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma confirmed with molecular imaging

BACKGROUND: Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is the second most common primary hepatic malignancy in humans. Although early-stage CCA can be managed with surgery, CCA is considered incurable at advanced stages and results in poor quality of life and overall survival. A good orthotopic CCA animal model is essential to perform basic studies investigating CCA in order to understand the molecular pathways that underlie cancer development, and to develop new therapies for the prevention and treatment of CCA. However, to the best of our knowledge, orthotopic extrahepatic CCA animal models have not yet been reported in the literature. METHODS: In this study, we established an orthotopic extrahepatic CCA model in mice using a two-step surgical procedure. RESULTS: The characteristics of this model were confirmed using molecular imaging and histological analysis. CONCLUSIONS: We believe that this CCA animal model, which can be established quickly, easily, and with good reproducibility, will help guide research on novel diagnostic and treatment strategies for extrahepatic CCA.