Oncogene 2000 Feb 21;19(8):1045-51

Conclusions
Cancer initiation and progression are complex processes involving many genetic and epigenetic factors. One of the future goals of the National Cancer Institute is the development of improved mouse models to help elucidate the mechanisms underlying these processes and for use in testing new diagnostic and therapeutic regimens. In this regard, the WAP-p53 172 R-H transgenic model developed in our laboratory is unique in that it consistently produces tumors characteristic of high-grade breast adenocarcinomas. This model should, therefore, serve as an excellent system in which to study the mechanisms responsible for genetic instability and may help identify those factors that promote tumor progression and metastasis. Finally, because mammary gland abnormalities are rarely observed in this model in the absence of carcinogen administration or oncogene co-expression, this model should facilitate the identification of earlier genetic lesions.