Humanized NOD-SCID IL2rg–/– mice as a preclinical model for cancer research and its potential use for individualized cancer therapies

•We summarize the characteristics and the development of humanized NOD-SCID-IL2rg–/– mice.•We compare the human tumor xenograft models between NOD-SCID-IL2rg–/– mice and other immunodeficient mice respectively.•We conclude studies using NOD-SCID-IL2rg–/– mice on individualized cancer therapy.•We discuss limitations of NOD-SCID-IL2rg–/– mice xenograft models for cancer study.

Humanized mouse models have been developed and utilized in cancer research for decades. Newly developed combined immunodeficient NOD-SCID-IL2rg–/– mice are more permissive for human cells and tissue engraftment. In this review, we discuss the use of NOD-SCID-IL2rg–/– mice as a preclinical tool in cancer research and its potential use for individualized cancer therapies.