SV40 TAg mouse models of cancer.

The discovery of a number of viruses with the ability to induce tumours in animals and transform human cells has vastly impacted cancer research. Much of what is known about tumorigenesis today regarding tumour drivers and tumour suppressors has been discovered through experiments using viruses. The SV40 virus has proven extremely successful in generating transgenic models of many human cancer types and this review provides an overview of these models and seeks to give evidence as to their relevance in this modern era of personalised medicine and technological advancements.