Site-specific tumor modeling: DIPG and meningioma in mice

Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) and meningioma are central nervous system tumors where anatomical location critically influences disease behavior and therapeutic response. To investigate this impact, we have developed and compared preclinical models using SF8628-GFP⁺/Luc⁺ (DIPG) and Ben-Men-1-Luc (meningioma) across three inoculation sites: (1) clinically relevant locations (pons for DIPG; skull base for meningioma), (2) general intracranial sites, and (3) subcutaneous sites. Tumor progression was monitored longitudinally using bioluminescence imaging and confirmed by histopathology. This study sought to determine how site-specific microenvironments affect growth kinetics, infiltration patterns, and imaging characteristics. Understanding these differences is essential for drug development, as orthotopic models better replicate blood-brain barrier constraints, tumor vascularization, and local tissue interactions that influence therapeutic delivery and efficacy.