Genetically engineered human cancer models utilizing mammalian transgene expression

Cancer models are vital to cancer biology research, and multiple cancer models are currently available that utilize either murine or human cells, each with particular strengths and weaknesses. The ability to transform primary human cells into tumors through the expression of specific transgenes offers many advantages as a cancer model, including genetic malleability and the ability to transform specific cell types. Until recently, the conversion of primary human cells into tumors through transgene expression required the use of viral genetic elements, which unfortunately adds uncertainty regarding which cancer pathways are affected and how they are affected. In recent years multiple reports have described the transformation of primary human cells into tumors using only mammalian transgenes. This review focuses on these five cancer models, comparing the different cell types which were transformed into tumors and which transgenes were expressed, as well as the cancer pathways affected in the disparate models. These genetically-engineered human cancer models offer a valuable tool to complement existing cancer models and further cancer research.