Keeping Score: Semiquantitative and Quantitative Scoring Approaches to Genetically Engineered and Xenograft Mouse Models of Cancer

There is a growing need to quantitate or “score” lesions in mouse models of human disease, for correlation with human disease and to establish their clinical relevance. Several standard semiquantitative scoring schemes have been adapted for nonneoplastic lesions; similarly, the pathologist must carefully select an approach to score mouse models of cancer. Genetically engineered mouse models with a continuum of precancerous and cancerous lesions and xenogeneic models of various derivations present unique challenges for the pathologist. Important considerations include experimental design, understanding of the human disease being modeled, standardized classification of lesions, and approaches for semiquantitative and/or quantitative scoring in the model being evaluated. Quantification should be considered for measuring the extent of neoplasia and expression of tumor biomarkers. Semiquantitative scoring schemes have been devised that include severity, frequency, and distribution of lesions. Although labor-intensive, scoring mouse models of cancer provides numerical data that enable statistical analysis and greater translational impact