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Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is widely known to be chemo-resistant and presents with significant liver disease resulting in low tolerability to systemic chemotherapy. As a counter measure, more targeted therapies such as trans-arterial chemoembolization (TACE) and trans-arterial radioembolization (TARE) have been developed. To further optimize these therapies, animal models are critical in elucidating the molecular events in disease progression and test new treatment options. The present study focuses on the development of a hepatoma bearing rat model. N1S1 rat hepatoma cells were transfected by a lentiviral method and injected into the liver of Sprague Dawley (SD) and Rowett Nude (RNU) rats. Longitudinal tumor growth was observed by bioluminescence imaging (BLI) and liver/tumor histology. In both models, tumors were visible within 4 days post cell inoculation. Tumor take rates were 52 % and 73 …