Ebook: Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Carcinogenesis in the Hamster

Malignant neoplasms occurring in the biliary tract and pancreas remain a therap- tic challenge. The mechanism of carcinogenesis as well as the growth and spread of these tumors is still poorly understood, making the development of rational tre- ment strategies difficult. In order to improve the clinical results achieved by sur- cal or other medical treatment of such malignant tumors, the establishment of an experimental animal model is critical. For this purpose, attempts were made to induce carcinoma experimentally in the biliary tree and finally an animal model using the hamster was established in 1994 at our laboratory. Because the tumor in this model mimicked the characteristics of human tumors, a series of experimental investigations were conducted to clarify the pathological characteristics of biliary carcinoma, the genetic alterations during biliary carcinogenesis, and the relationship between biliary inflammation and c- cinogenesis. The chemopreventive effects on the occurrence of biliary carcinoma were also successfully examined. In addition, in vitro studies led to the establi- ment of transplantable biliary cancer cell lines and biliary epithelial cell lines by utilizing the hamster model. This monograph represents the collective efforts in hepato-biliary and pancreatic disease research over the past 20 years. I hope that this monograph will be a source of useful knowledge for basic researchers as well as for clinicians involved in the care of patients with hepato-biliary and pancreatic neoplasms. Takashi Kanematsu, M.D., Ph.D.

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The carcinogenic mechanism of hepatobiliary and pancreatic tumors is still poorly understood, making the development of rational treatment strategies difficult. The Syrian hamster is a unique animal for studying these neoplasms because the anatomical structure of its hepatobiliary and pancreatic duct system is similar to that of humans. The tumors induced in the liver, biliary tract, and pancreas of hamsters with nitrosamines closely resemble those of humans and are ideal for investigating carcinogenic mechanisms. For the first time in book form, methods for the successful induction of hepatobiliary and pancreatic tumors in hamsters are explained, as are the surgical techniques for preparing animal models, the histopathological characteristics of the induced tumors, and chemoprevention. The hamster models of in vivo and in vitro tumorigenesis presented here will be a source of useful knowledge for basic researchers as well as for clinicians involved in the care of patients with hepatobiliary and pancreatic malignancies.