OBSERVE: guidelines for the refinement of rodent cancer models

New publication by the Netherlands Cancer Institute (NKI) and colleagues, supported by the INFRAFRONTIER Consortium and EurOPDX

Existing guidelines like PREPARE and ARRIVE do not provide a clear and standardised approach for refinement of in-vivo cancer studies, focusing instead on reduction and replacement. The new OBSERVE guidelines, a European initiative supported by EurOPDX and INFRAFRONTIER, address this gap by offering clear and practical recommendations for improving the refinement of cancer research using murin models. These guidelines provide detailed advice on preparing tumor-initiating biologicals, refining tumor-implantation methods, and monitoring cancer-specific clinical signs. By outlining appropriate follow-up procedures and humane endpoints, OBSERVE helps researchers enhance the accuracy and ethics of their studies.

Original publication:
De Vleeschauwer S I, van de Ven M, Oudin A et al. OBSERVE: guidelines for the refinement of rodent cancer models. Nature Procolos (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41596-024-00998-w