Preclinical research platform for uterine leiomyoma: construction optimization and selection of animal models

Uterine leiomyomas (ULs) are increasingly becoming a disease affecting women's health and are one of the most common tumors of the female reproductive system. The pathogenesis of ULs remains incompletely understood, and abnormal hormone levels as well as genetic factors are considered to be causative factors. To further investigate the pathogenesis of this disease, explore new treatment options, and validate new therapeutic drugs, reliable animal models are indispensable. The main animal models currently used for studying ULs include four categories: spontaneous animal models, genetically modified animal models, hormone-induced animal models, and xenograft animal models. This paper systematically reviews the advantages and disadvantages of these four major animal models, their applicable scenarios, proposes potential optimization strategies, and organizes a framework for matching research objectives with appropriate animal models, thereby promoting research on the mechanisms and treatment approaches of ULs.