Animal models of exocrine pancreatic cancer

Clinically and biologically relevant animal models are manda-tory to further evaluate both the pathophysiology and novel strategies for diagnosis and treatment of exocrine pancreatic cancer. This review briefly summarizes the features of human pancreatic cancer in order to define requirements for animal models of the disease. The described model systems in rodents include pancreatic cancer induced by chemicals, pancreatic cancer in transgenic, and immunodeficient animals. Keywords Pancreatic cancer-Exocrine-Animal modelAccepted: 20 April 2000