The Murine GL261 Glioma Experimental Model to Assess Novel Brain Tumor Treatments

The GL261 glioma is representative of a carcinogen-induced mouse syngeneic glioma model. This model represents one of the very few brain tumor models developed in immunocompetent animals that has growth characteristics similar to human GBM. The ideal animal model should share the invasive properties that the human GBM displays, since this is a major reason for the failure of current treatment strategies. Here we demonstrate, through a detailed comparison with human GBM, that the murine GL261 glioma closely mimics its human counterpart in a number of significant ways, but most importantly in its invasive and angiogenic properties representing the relevant biology of human GBMs. Therefore, it should prove to be a valuable preclinical model for testing novel drugs and therapeutic strategies that inhibit glioma invasion and angiogenesis.