Fig. 1

Schematic overview of approaches to generate preclinical HNSCC models. a Patient-derived models are mainly generated from surgical tumor tissue. After mechanical and enzymatic dissociation, tumor cells are grown in vitro as 2D cell monolayers on plastic or 3D spheroid structures in extracellular matrix (ECM). For generation of patient-derived xenografts (PDX), tumor fragments are transplanted subcutaneously in immunocompromised mice. Classical patient-derived models are characterized by the absence of human immune and stromal cells. b Genetically engineered mouse models of oral squamous cell carcinoma can be generated by selective activation of oncogenes or inactivation of tumor suppressor genes (TSGs) in epithelial cells. c Delivery of 4-Nitroquinoline 1-oxide in the drinking water of mice over several weeks promotes oral cavity carcinogenesis at high incidence