The incidence rate of choroidal melanoma in China is second only to retinoblastoma in children, and it is the most common intraocular malignant tumor in adults. The prognosis of tumors is related to the size of the tumor body and the pathological type of tumor cells. The 5-year survival rate of spindle cell type is 84%; The 5-year survival rate of mixed cell type and necrotic type is about 50%; The 5-year survival rate of epithelioid cell type is less than 30%, and the prognosis is the worst. Animal models of choroidal melanoma can be divided into transplant models, transgenic models, and inducible models based on their induction mechanisms.
The transplantation model also uses nude mice, and the gene modification model is divided into transgenic and gene knockout mice, with the same mechanism as RB. Injection of nickel sulfide hydride (Ni3S3) into the vitreous cavity of some animals can also induce choroidal melanoma. Nickel is widely present in human work and living environments, and is an essential trace element for humans. It also has strong carcinogenicity, with Ni3S3 having the strongest carcinogenicity. The mechanism of nickel carcinogenesis includes inducing mutations that lead to abnormal expression of tumor related genes; Inducing cells to produce oxygen free radicals, leading to DNA damage and chromosome breakage; Inducing the expression of NF-KB within cells leads to tumor formation. In addition to directly inducing genomic changes, nickel can also affect the expression of cancer-related genes through epigenetic changes.
【 Modeling Method 】 Healthy SPF grade rats were selected, and after anesthesia, a eyelid opener was used to open the eyelids. Ni3S3 was injected into the corneal margin through a microinjector at 9 o'clock position. Ni3S3 was prepared as a suspension using physiological saline, with an injection volume of 10 μ l and a concentration of 50mg/ml.
【 Model characteristics 】 From 6 to 9 months, tumors can gradually appear in the vitreous body, followed by rapid tumor growth, which can fill the eyeball and invade the orbit. Some model animals can detect liver, lung, and brain metastases. The pathological features are spindle shaped and epithelial cells.
【 Model Evaluation and Application 】 This model is a good model for studying the occurrence of choroidal melanoma caused by chemical substances. Experimental animals and Ni3S3 are inexpensive and easy to obtain. But the animal's eyeball is small, surgical trauma and subsequent pathological changes may lead to modeling failure. In addition, while inducing melanoma, other types of tumors may also be associated.