Experimental animals are indispensable in life science-related research, including cancer studies. After rats and mice, small fishes, such as zebrafish and medaka, are the second most frequently used model species. Fish models have some advantageous physical characteristics that make them suitable for research, including their small size, some transparency, genetic manipulability, ease of handling, and highly ortholog correspondence with humans. This review introduces technological advances in carcinogenesis model production using small fish. Carcinogenesis model production begins with chemical carcinogenesis, followed by mutagenesis. Gene transfer technology has made it possible to incorporate various mechanisms that act on cancer-related genes in individuals. For example, scientists may now spatiotemporally control gene expression in a single fish through methods including the localization of an expression site via a tissue-specific promoter and expression control using light, heat, or a chemical substance. In addition, genome editing technology is realizing more specific and more efficient gene disruption than conventional mutagenesis, in which the disruption of the gene of interest depends on chance. These technological advances have improved animal models and will soon create carcinogenesis models that better mimic human pathology. We conclude by discussing future expectations for cancer research using small fish.

实验动物在生命科学相关研究中必不可少，包括癌症研究。在大鼠和小鼠之后，斑马鱼和青鳉等小鱼是第二大最常用的模型物种。鱼类模型具有一些使其适合研究的有利物理特性，包括它们的小尺寸、一定的透明度、遗传可操作性、易于处理以及与人类的高度直系同源性。本综述介绍了使用小鱼制作致癌模型的技术进展。致癌作用模型的制作从化学致癌作用开始，然后是诱变作用。基因转移技术使整合各种作用于个体癌症相关基因的机制成为可能。例如，通过组织特异性启动子和使用光、热或化学物质的表达控制。此外，与常规诱变相比，基因组编辑技术正在实现更具体、更有效的基因破坏，其中感兴趣的基因的破坏取决于机会。这些技术进步改进了动物模型，并将很快创造出更好地模拟人类病理学的致癌模型。我们最后讨论了使用小鱼进行癌症研究的未来期望。