Prof. Dr. Joachim Fandrey, the Dean of Studies at the Medical Faculty of the University of Duisburg-Essen, network manager Michael To Vinh, and member of the Steering Committee of the network, Prof. Dr. Gero Hilken, opened the event, emphasizing the importance of the chicken egg Chorioallantoic Membrane (CAM) model in minimizing animal experimentation. They also stressed the role of 3R events in fostering collaboration and promoting innovative approaches across the region and beyond.
The symposium's scientific program began with a presentation by Prof. Dr. Nicole Dünker from the University Hospital Essen, who discussed the CAM model’s applications in cancer research. Keynote speaker Prof. Dr. Regine Schneider-Stock from the University Hospital Erlangen followed with a detailed lecture on the spatial resolution of tumor-ovografts using the CAM model. These sessions highlighted the model’s potential as a preclinical tool that can reduce the need for animal models in oncological studies.
Throughout the day, participants explored various uses of the CAM model by the experts from Essen and Munich. The discussions focused on its origin as an angiogenesis model, its development for tumor research, and its limitations and advantages. The CAM model’s ability to mimic cancer characteristics within a short experimental timeframe, along with its diverse testing capabilities, were emphasized as significant benefits. The model's role in reducing animal use, particularly in cancer research, was a central theme.
The afternoon session turned to neurobiological studies, showcasing the CAM system's potential for understanding pain perception and metastasis. The discussions extended to the model’s use in complex topical therapies and immuno-oncology, raising important questions about the limits of current methods and how they can be addressed. Special focus was given to EEG measurements in ovo to investigate the perception of pain, which presents pioneering research for a better biological understanding of the CAM model.
The event concluded with a session on radiotherapy applications of the CAM model, including the use of proton, photon, and carbon radiation in preclinical settings. The presentations addressed how these methods can be optimized to better target tumors and vascular systems. The symposium closed with a call for continued dialogue and collaboration, with more than 70 participants expressing their interest in future advancements and cooperation in the 3R field.
Acknowledgments
We extend our sincere thanks to Prof. Nicole Dünker and Prof. Gero Hilken for their excellent work as local organizers of the event. Special thanks to all the expert speakers for their invaluable scientific contributions, and to the audience for their active participation and attendance.
