For the last several years, my laboratory has been developing orthotopic tumor models of the lung and prostate specifically for use in mimicking stereotactic radiation therapy in humans.
We are now consistently able to grow solitary tumor nodules in an immune-suppressed rat lung that can be targeted for radiotherapy. This particular lung tumor model is now widely used by multiple investigators at UT Southwestern.
In addition, we have developed an orthotopic locally advanced non-metastatic prostate tumor model.
Both of these tumor models have helped us to receive extramural funding. We are now working to develop both head-and-neck and pancreatic orthotopic tumor models for conventional and charged particle radiotherapy.