Addressing the importance of animal models of skin cancer

Title : Addressing the importance of animal models of skin cancer

Abstract:

Skin is the largest organ of the mammals’ body, with important functions in several biological processes, like environmental barrier, tissue regeneration, hair cycling and wound repair. Approximately 2 to 3 million non-melanoma skin cancers and 132,000 melanoma skin cancers are diagnosed annually worldwide. The skin tumors are mainly of three types: malignant melanoma, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.Animal models are important tools to understand and follow several diseases, including skin cancer. In this way, in vivo studies are essential to improve and discover new strategies to prevent and better treat this type of cancer. This presentation intends to describe the rodent models available for skin cancer study, particularly the model skin cancer chemically-induced through the administration of the compounds 12-O- tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) and Dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA).

Audience Take Away Notes:
• Animal models of skin cancer
• Practical examples

Biography:

Ana Faustino is Professor at Department of Zootechnics of University of Évora and Researcher at CITAB/UTAD. She holds a Master in Veterinary Medicine and a European PhD in Veterinary Sciences. Animal models of cancer, tumoral angiogenesis and imaging are her main areas of interest. She has collaborating in several Financed Research projects. The results of her works were published in more than 250 publications in several formats. She received several prizes of scientific merit, and highlights and press honors. She has experience in supervising graduate and post-graduate students. She participated in several courses, workshops, international and national meetings. She is editorial member of several scientific journals and reviewer of more than 300 manuscripts. She is Guest Editor of two special issues in Veterinary Animals and in Life.