AUTHOR=Shapiro Daniel D. , Virumbrales-Muñoz Maria , Beebe David J. , Abel E. Jason TITLE=Models of Renal Cell Carcinoma Used to Investigate Molecular Mechanisms and Develop New Therapeutics JOURNAL=Frontiers in Oncology VOLUME=12 YEAR=2022 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/oncology/articles/10.3389/fonc.2022.871252 DOI=10.3389/fonc.2022.871252 ISSN=2234-943X ABSTRACT=

Modeling renal cell carcinoma is critical to investigating tumor biology and therapeutic mechanisms. Multiple systems have been developed to represent critical components of the tumor and its surrounding microenvironment. Prominent in vitro models include traditional cell cultures, 3D organoid models, and microphysiological devices. In vivo models consist of murine patient derived xenografts or genetically engineered mice. Each system has unique advantages as well as limitations and researchers must thoroughly understand each model to properly investigate research questions. This review addresses common model systems for renal cell carcinoma and critically evaluates their performance and ability to measure tumor characteristics.