The BUAV is disappointed to see yet more media hype and exaggeration surrounding cancer experiments involving mice. The BBC Website, in the article ‘Hopes for Breast Cancer Vaccine’ cited claims made by the immunologists responsible that the vaccine ‘could eliminate breast cancer’ in humans.

Although the report did include warnings that the mice results may not translate into benefits for human beings, it is of serious concern that mouse “models” of cancer continue to be widely used, and that so much positive spin is put on the outcome of those experiments.

Hundreds of billions of pounds have been devoted to cancer research to date, much of it using mice, yet little progress has been made in realizing effective treatments or cures. Scientists who continue to use mice are ignoring compelling data that reveal the failure of this approach. Some 95% of anti-cancer drugs that work in animals fail in humans (1, 2), and genes known to be involved in human cancers work very differently in mice (3, 4). Even in our nearest relatives, chimpanzees, at least 20 genes implicated in human cancer are significantly different, explaining why serious human cancers are almost unheard of in chimps (5).

Many scientists have asserted for years that a move away from using mice in research, notably for cancer, is imperative. For example:

“The history of cancer research has been a history of curing cancer in the mouse...We have cured mice of cancer for decades--and it simply didn't work in humans” (6)

“Preclinical models of human cancer, in large part, stink” (7)

“…the animal models on which clinical trials are predicated must at best be limited in power, and at worst wildly inaccurate." (8)

Just this month, a high-profile article pulled no punches in its criticism of mouse models in immunological research:

“Mice make a lousy model for the human immune system”

“Studies on mice… aren't reflecting the needs of the [human] population”

“It's not a sustainable strategy to stay focused on mice.”

“…inconsistencies between human and mouse immunity often leave patients in the lurch…Hundreds of clinical trials have been based on curing mice, but almost none led to clinical treatments.” (9)

It is fortunate that many scientists are taking a human-focused approach to cancer research – using human tissues and cells, for example - which is leading to tangible progress and saving lives (e.g. 10, 11). Such superior methods, combined with more effective prevention programmes that could prevent around 50% of cancers, are the way forward. Scientists persisting with cruel and ineffective mouse “models” are hindering progress, not aiding it.

References
1. Roberts, T.G.J., Goulart, B.H., Squitieri, L., et al. (2004). Trends in the risks and benefits to patients with cancer participating in phase 1 clinical trials. JAMA 292, 2130-2140.
2. Kola, I., Landis, J. (2004). Can the pharmaceutical industry reduce attrition rates? Nat Rev Drug Discov 3, 711-715.
3. Tang, W., Dodge, M., Gundapaneni, D., et al. (2008). A genome-wide RNAi screen for Wnt/beta-catenin pathway components identifies unexpected roles for TCF transcription factors in cancer. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 105, 9697-9702.
4. Hamad, N.M., Elconin, J.H., Karnoub, A.E., et al. (2002). Distinct requirements for Ras oncogenesis in human versus mouse cells. Genes Dev 16, 2045-2057.
5. Puente, X.S., Velasco, G., Gutierrez-Fernandez, A., et al. (2006). Comparative analysis of cancer genes in the human and chimpanzee genomes. BMC Genomics 7, 15.
6. Klausner, R. LA Times 1998, May 6.
7. Leaf, C. Why we're losing the war on cancer [and how to win it]. Fortune Magazine 2004, March 22. Vol. 149(6). Quoting Prof. R. Weinberg, Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
8. Kamb, A. (2005). What's wrong with our cancer models? Nat Rev Drug Discov 4, 161-165.
9. Leslie, M. (2010). Biomedical research. Immunology uncaged. Science 327, 1573.
10. Parsons, D.W., Jones, S., Zhang, X., et al. (2008). An integrated genomic analysis of human glioblastoma multiforme. Science 321, 1807-1812.
11.  Jones, S., Zhang, X., Parsons, D.W., et al. (2008). Core signaling pathways in human pancreatic cancers revealed by global genomic analyses. Science 321, 1801-1806.

3rd June 2010