Abstract 1369: Mouse models of clinical oligo- and poly-metastatic progression

We previously proposed a metastatic state defined by a limited number of metastases, termed oligometastasis(es). These limited metastases may be cured by metastasis-directed treatments in contrast to widespread metastatic disease. While many animal models of polymetastases exist, an oligometastasis(es) model is lacking. Here, we report the first mouse xenograft model of oligometastasis(es) employing the MDA-MB-435 human tumor that maintains a stable oligometastatic phenotype in vivo. We also developed an MDA-MB-435 polymetastatic progression model in which the pattern of dissemination induced poly-foci in the lung, or to multiple anatomic sites including lung, heart, muscle, pleura, bone and peritoneal cavity. We performed microRNA expression profiling from distinct lung metastases of oligometastatic and polymetastatic animals. MicroRNA expression distinguished oligometastatic cell lines from those of polymetastatic, and accurately identified oligometastatic patients from a prior clinical study who failed to develop widespread metastases (p=0.005). These findings form the basis for investigating mechanisms underlying the specific metastatic pattern of individual cancers. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1369. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-1369