Chorioallantoic Membrane Models in Cancer and Developmental Biology

The chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) of the avian embryo has emerged as a versatile in vivo platform for studying angiogenesis, tumour biology and developmental processes. This highly vascularised extraembryonic membrane facilitates gas exchange and nutrient transport during embryogenesis while offering an accessible window for direct experimental manipulation. Intrinsic immunodeficiency prior to maturation of the avian immune system allows engraftment of xenogeneic tissues without immunosuppression, enabling rapid assessment of tumour invasion, metastasis and vascular responses. CAM assays are conducted either within the intact egg (in ovo) or on a cultured membrane exposed outside the shell (ex ovo), accommodating imaging techniques such as high-resolution microscopy and bioluminescence. Its affordability, rapid turnaround and alignment with the replacement, reduction and refinement (3R) principles drive widespread adoption. Recent advances extend CAM applications to patient-derived xenografts, nanoparticle delivery systems and stem cell niches, highlighting its pivotal role in preclinical research and translational discovery.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent studies have leveraged the CAM model to refine preclinical evaluation of novel therapies and developmental constructs. Biodegradable mesoporous organosilica nanoparticles loaded with doxorubicin were shown to target ovarian tumour xenografts on the CAM, achieving selective tumour ablation while minimising embryonic toxicity compared to free drug administration. In bone tissue engineering, human femoral bone cylinders with induced drill-hole defects implanted on the CAM served as a bioreactor, with host vasculature infiltrating the graft and promoting extracellular matrix deposition and endochondral ossification, resulting in accelerated bone volume gain. More recently, low-passage primary pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cells transduced with luciferase were engrafted onto the CAM, enabling longitudinal bioluminescent monitoring of tumour growth and response to chemotherapeutic combinations, which yielded significant tumour growth inhibition and insights into miRNA-mediated mechanisms. These works attest to the CAM’s adaptability for both drug delivery assessment and human tissue regeneration studies.

Chorioallantoic Membrane Models in Cancer and Developmental Biology publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in chorioallantoic membrane models in cancer and developmental biology across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Chorioallantoic membrane (CAM): Extraembryonic vascular tissue in bird embryos used as an in vivo experimental platform.

In ovo: Experimental approach performed within the intact egg.

Ex ovo: Culture technique involving support of the embryo outside the eggshell.

Angiogenesis: Formation of new blood vessels from pre-existing vasculature.

Xenograft: Transplantation of cells or tissue from one species into another.

Bioluminescence imaging: Technique using light emitted by luciferase-labelled cells to monitor biological processes in living organisms.

3R principle: Ethical framework emphasising Replacement, Reduction and Refinement of animal use in research.

References

1. Anti-angiogenic effect of nano-formulated water soluble kaempferol and combretastatin in an in vivo chick chorioallantoic membrane model and HUVEC cells. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy (2023).
2. Experimental Tumor Induction and Evaluation of Its Treatment in the Chicken Embryo Chorioallantoic Membrane Model: A Systematic Review. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2024).
3. Chorioallantoic Membrane Assay at the Cross-Roads of Adipose-Tissue-Derived Stem Cell Research. Cells (2023).
4. Chick chorioallantoic membrane assay as an in vivo model to study the effect of nanoparticle-based anticancer drugs in ovarian cancer. Scientific Reports (2018).
5. The chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay for the study of human bone regeneration: a refinement animal model for tissue engineering. Scientific Reports (2016).
6. Development of bioluminescent chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) models for primary pancreatic cancer cells: a platform for drug testing. Scientific Reports (2017).
7. The chick embryo as an expanding experimental model for cancer and cardiovascular research. Developmental Dynamics (2013).
8. The Chicken Embryo Model: A Novel and Relevant Model for Immune-Based Studies. Frontiers in Immunology (2021).