Syngeneic or allograft mouse tumor models provide an effective system to study new immuno-oncologic drugs and investigate the effects of conventional anti-cancer drugs on the immune system. In a syngenic model, the mouse tumor cells are injected into the mouse with an intact immune system of the same genetic background. The use of tumor cells from the same strain prevents tumor rejection, allowing successful tumor implantation that is recognized as “self” by the mouse.

Immunotherapeutics work in conjunction with the body’s immune system to fight cancer cells. To study this, the conventional xenograft model is not applicable due to its immunocompromised status. A syngeneic mouse model provides an effective approach to studying how cancer therapies perform in the presence of a functional immune system. As an added advantage, syngenic models are inexpensive, easy to use, and have a quicker turnaround time.