Lymphatics in the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane

Abstract

The chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) has been used as an experimental in vivo model to study angiogenesis and anti-angiogenesis. Moreover, due to the lack of a fully developed immunocompetent system, the CAM is suitable to study various aspects of tumor angiogenesis and metastatic potential. In this article, we emphasize the important role of the CAM also in the study of lymphangiogenesis and tumor lymphangiogenesis in vivo. This experimental model is more advantageous than other assays because it is a relatively simple, quick, and low-cost. Finally, it does not require administrative procedures to obtain ethics committee approval for animal experimentation.