Animal models in ocular oncology

Retinoblastoma is a rare cancer in childhood. The goal of current and future therapeutic strategies is to conserve the eye and visual function without using external beam radiotherapy that increases the risk of second cancer in genetically predisposed patients. Multimodality therapy (usual intravenous but also, intra‐arterial, intra‐vitreal chemotherapy, transpupillary thermotherapy, cryotherapy, brachytherapy) has recently improved eye salvage rate and allowed decreased need for external beam radiotherapy. However treatment of advanced intraocular retinoblastoma remains a real challenge, especially in case of vitreous and sub‐retinal seeding. There is a need of alternative and less toxic therapy and a need of new ways for administration of the drugs. Animal models are an integral part of preclinical research in the field of oncology. This paper described the different xenograft rodent models published in the literature. We have also developed a new orthotopic xenografted retinoblastoma model in immunodeficient mice, suitable for pre‐ clinical assays.