Animal models for brain tumors: historical perspectives and future directions

The scientific understanding of the biology of human brain tumors has advanced in large part through the use of animal models. For most of this century, investigators have been evaluating the inciting factors in brain tumor development, and applying this knowledge to direct tumor growth in laboratory animals. Virus-induced, carcinogen-induced, and transplant-based models have been vigorously investigated. As knowledge of the molecular biology of neoplasia has advanced, transgenic technology has been introduced. The authors review the development of animal models for brain tumor, and focus on the role of transgenic models in elucidating the complex process of central nervous system neoplasia.