A reproducible model of metastatic brain and ocular tumor by hematogenous inoculation of the VX2 tumor in rabbits.

A metastatic brain-tumor model has been developed in rabbits by infusing the VX2 carcinoma into the internal carotid artery to simulate hematogenous dissemination of tumor. In a series of 25 New Zealand White rabbits, multiple metastases arose in the hemisphere of 24 (96%) and in the eye of 22 (92%); in all instances ocular metastases were ipsilateral to the site of infusion. Ocular metastases were visible in the anterior chamber in 80% of animals 3 to 12 days after the infusion of VX2 tumor cell suspension. All rabbits deteriorated neurologically or died by Day 15 after the inoculation. Multiple metastases were demonstrated by magnetic resonance imaging as early as 5 to 7 days after infusion of the tumor cells and were confirmed at autopsy. This technique models hematogenous metastases to the brain and eye and is useful in evaluating the response of metastases to chemotherapy and radiation therapy directed to the brain and eye.