The dark side of ID8-Luc2: pitfalls for luciferase tagged murine models for ovarian cancer.

Reliable mouse models are key in the discovery and development of novel anticancer treatments. Non-invasive monitoring techniques such as bioluminescence imaging (BLI) are useful tools to determine tumor engraftment and evaluate tumor growth. However, the development of ascites in ovarian cancer mouse models leads to possible difficulties. Ascites can interfere with the set-up of correct end points and can interfere with the evaluation of tumor volume using BLI. We provide optimized euthanasia criteria and in vivo data underlining the pitfalls of BLI.