Abstract

Molecular oncology focuses on understanding the complex genetic and cellular processes governing cancer development, progression, and treatment response at the molecular level, translating this knowledge into personalized medicine strategies. The success of this field relies heavily on the availability of preclinical disease models that can faithfully recapitulate human pathology.  This review article comprehensively evaluates patient-derived xenografts, which maintain the genetic heterogeneity and architecture of the original human tumor and offer 80-90% accuracy in predicting clinical outcomes, as well as Genetically Engineered Mouse Models that allow for the study of early-stage disease and spontaneous tumor development. Furthermore, syngeneic and humanized models, which are indispensable for immunotherapy research, are discussed. The integration of nuclear medicine technologies, particularly positron emission tomography/computed tomography (CT) and single-photon emission CT/CT, into these models is examined for the non-invasive visualization of biological processes within the tumor microenvironment and the validation of theranostic approaches. Overall, disease models established in the preclinical setting, when coupled with advanced imaging methods, constitute a cornerstone of oncological research and clinical translation.