Experimental Tumor Induction and Evaluation of Its Treatment in the Chicken Embryo Chorioallantoic Membrane Model - A Systematic Review

Sep 21, 2026

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The chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model, generated during avian development, can serve cancer research as an alternative in vivo system for tumorigenesis in ovo, offering simplicity, low cost, rapid growth, and natural immunodeficiency. This systematic review compiles and analyzes studies using the CAMassay as a tumor induction model. Searches in PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, and WOS yielded 74 included articles after deduplication and screening. Results indicate predominance of in ovo (62%), with ex ovo (13%), metastasis studies (9%), and tumor induction from patient biopsies (16%). Methodology unification is needed.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages31

Reading Time1 h 18 min

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Introduction

CAM model as an in vivo alternative

Egg models: in ovo vs ex ovo

Review Experimental Tumor Induction and Evaluation of Its Treatment in the Chicken Embryo Chorioallantoic Membrane Model: A Systematic Review Cristina Mesas 1,2,†, Maria Angeles Chico 2,3,†, Kevin Doello 2,4, Patricia Lara 1, Javier Moreno 1, Consolación Melguizo 1,2,3, *, Gloria Perazzoli 1,3,* and Jose Prados 1,2,3 Citation: Mesas, C.; Chico, M.A.; Doello, K.; Lara, P.; Moreno, J.; Melguizo, C.; Perazzoli, G.; Prados, J. Experimental Tumor Induction and Evaluation of Its Treatment in the Chicken Embryo Chorioallantoic Membrane Model: A Systematic Review. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25, 837 . [https://doi.org/10.3390/](https://doi.org/10.3390/)[ ](https://doi.org/10.3390/)ijms25020837 Academic Editor: Julita Kulbacka 1 Institute of Biopathology and Regenerative Medicine (IBIMER), Biomedical Research Center (CIBM), 18100 Granada, Spain; [cristinam@correo.ugr.es](cristinam@correo.ugr.es) (C.M.); [patricialara@correo.ugr.es](patricialara@correo.ugr.es) (P.L.); [javiermperez99@correo.ugr.es](javiermperez99@correo.ugr.es) (J.M.); [jprados@ugr.es](jprados@ugr.es) (J.P.) 2 Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Granada (ibs.GRANADA), 18012 Granada, Spain; [mchico@ugr.es](mchico@ugr.es) (M.A.C.); [kdoello@correo.ugr.es](kdoello@correo.ugr.es) (K.D.) 3 Department of Anatomy and Embryology, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain 4 Service of Medical Oncology, Hospital Virgen de las Nieves, 18014 Granada, Spain * Correspondence: melguizo@ugr.es (C.M.); gperazzoli@ugr.es (G.P.); Tel.: +34-958243535 (C.M. & G.P.)† These authors contributed equally to this work. Abstract: The chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) model, generated during avian development, can be used in cancer research as an alternative in vivo model to perform tumorigenesis in ovo due to advantages such as simplicity, low cost, rapid growth, and being naturally immunodeficient. The aim of this systematic review has been to compile and analyze all studies that use the CAMassay as a tumor induction model. For that, a systematic search was carried out in four different databases: PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, and WOS. After eliminating duplicates and following the established inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 74 articles were included. Of these, 62% use the in ovo technique, 13% use the ex ovo technique, 9% study the formation of metastasis, and 16% induce tumors from patient biopsies. Regarding the methodology followed, the main species used is chicken (95%), although some studies use quail eggs (4%), and one article uses ostrich eggs. Therefore, the CAM assay is a revolutionary technique that allows a simple and effective way to induce tumors, test the effectiveness of treatments, carry out metastasis studies, perform biopsy grafts of patients, and carry out personalized medicine. However, unification of the methodology used is necessary. Keywords: CAM; tumor; xenograft; in ovo; ex ovo 1. Introduction Received: 4 December 2023 Revised: 24 December 2023 Accepted: 5 January 2024 Published: 9 January 2024 Copyright: © 2024 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license ([https://](https://)[ ](https://)[creativecommons.org/licenses/by/](creativecommons.org/licenses/by/)[ ](creativecommons.org/licenses/by/)[4.0/](4.0/)) . Constant progress in understanding the mechanisms underlying tumor formation, as well as their migration and invasion into other tissues, is essential for the development of effective strategies in both cancer prevention and treatment. Traditional in vivo mice models have allowed us to obtain valuable information in this field, although they also present multiple limitations due to specific restrictions such as large cohorts of animals [1], slow tumor development, or ethical considerations [2] . In this context, egg models have emerged as promising tools that offer unique advantage

FAQs

What is the CAM model used for in cancer research?

The CAM model is used as an alternative in vivo system to perform tumorigenesis and support studies such as angiogenesis, tumor chemosensitivity, and metastasis assays.

How does the in ovo model differ from the ex ovo model?

The in ovo model is performed inside the egg and mainly supports metastasis-related extravasation studies, while the ex ovo model is performed outside the egg and is mainly used for angiogenesis studies due to easier CAM observation.

How were studies selected in this systematic review?

A systematic search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, and WOS, followed by duplicate elimination and application of established inclusion and exclusion criteria, resulting in 74 included articles.

Sep 21, 2026

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