Guidelines for the welfare and use of animals in cancer research

Animal experiments remain essential to understand the
fundamental mechanisms underpinning malignancy and to discover
improved methods to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer.
Excellent standards of animal care are fully consistent with the
conduct of high quality cancer research. Here we provide updated
guidelines on the welfare and use of animals in cancer research. All
experiments should incorporate the 3Rs: replacement, reduction
and refinement. Focusing on animal welfare, we present recommendations
on all aspects of cancer research, including: study
design, statistics and pilot studies; choice of tumour models
(e.g., genetically engineered, orthotopic and metastatic); therapy
(including drugs and radiation); imaging (covering techniques,
anaesthesia and restraint); humane endpoints (including tumour
burden and site); and publication of best practice.

Guidelines