Patient-Derived Xenograft Tumor Models for Cancer Therapy Research
Apr 01 2013
We have recently expanded our xenograft portfolio to now include early-passage xenografts derived from fresh surgical tumor specimens. These patient-derived xenografts, or PDX models, offer advantages over conventional models.
Because PDX models are not cell lines and have never been cultured on plastic and instead are propagated in nude mice from cryopreserved banks of tumor fragments, they are believed to preserve important tumor characteristics such as architecture, vasculature, heterogeneity, and molecular and genetic alterations. This may lead to a higher correlation with clinical outcomes compared to conventional cell line-derived models.
Our PDX models were developed to minimize passage number (generally less than six in mice). In order to confirm their human status, we have also characterized our PDX models by confirmatory histopathology and by the presence of human mitochondrial markers.
In an effort to facilitate model selection, we have profiled the PDX portfolio for response to relevant standards of care and have performed Next-Gen DNA sequencing, capturing the mutation status of 206 genes associated with cancer. In addition, gene expression data and gene copy number data have been collected and are available for client review.
For more information about our PDX models, please contact us at askcharlesriver@crl.com.
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