Alfa Cytology is a leading biology contract research organization (CRO). We have years of experience in constructing transplantation models for pancreatic cancer (PC). Based on our comprehensive expertise in this area and advanced technology platform, we are able to develop a variety of PC xenograft models for our customers for research and preclinical purposes.
Overview of transplantation models of PC
Transplantation models involve the transplantation of mouse or human cells/spheres/organoids/tissues into recipient mice. Compared to genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs), transplantation models are easier to handle and have a relatively low and more predictable tumor latency. Transplantation models can be classified as orthotopicimplantation models (in the pancreas) or ectopic implantation models (subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, intravenous, intrapleural or intracardiac) depending on the location of cell implantation. Moreover, according to the transplant source, transplantation models can be divided into syngeneic (allograft) and xenogeneic (xenograft). The allograft models are established by transplanting mouse-derived tumor cells and tumors into mice. In contrast to the allograft model, xenografts require the implantation of human tumors or cancer cells into immunocompromised mice, and PC cell lines or spheroids serve as common sources for transplantation.
The service offering at Alfa Cytology
Over the past decades, xenograft models have been a backbone of cancer research, providing an effective environment for the study and evaluation of novel drug compounds. We can construct different types of xenograft models for PC research. Several xenograft models of PC are available for our customers to choose from.
| Xenograft models of PC | ||
|---|---|---|
| Models | Descriptions | Applications |
| Cell line-derived xenografts (CDXs) | Made by transplanting pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cell lines into immunocompromised mice. | Testing the efficacy of anti-cancer therapies in vivo. |
| Spheroid-based xenografts (SDXs) | Established by transplanting 3D spheroid into immunocompromised mice, the model showed increased expression of pro-fibrotic and pro-survival PDAC markers compared to cell-based counterparts. | Testing the efficacy of anti-cancer therapies in vivo. |
| Organoid-derived xenografts (ODXs) | Established by orthotopic transplantation of human pancreatic tumor organoids into immunocompromised mice, recapitulating the full spectrum PDAC progression. | Investigating PDAC progression in vivo and early biomarkers for therapeutic and diagnostic development. |
| Patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) | Established by transplanting a piece of patient's tumor tissue derived from surgical resection or from tumor biopsies into immunocompromised mice, preserving morphological features of the primary tumor and its metastatic potential. | -Recapitulating PDAC tumor heterogeneity, genetics, and microenvironment. -Identifying new biomarkers and performing drug testing. -Serving as tools for personalized treatments of PDAC patients. |
Besides, we also offer a complete suite of laboratory services, including:
- Transplantation study design
- Selection of appropriate cell line/cancer model
- Host animal selection
- Subcutaneous or orthotopic xenografts
Xenograft models serve as powerful research tools. CDXs are widely used in preclinical studies because of their low cost, rapid and efficient drug screening, and simple tumor size assessment. The xenograft models are significantly improved by establishing PDXs, thus bypassing the need for cancer cells to adapt to cell culture conditions. If you are interested in our services, please contact us for more details. You can get in touch with our staff directly and receive professional, reliable, and fast feedback.
References
- Miquel, Maria, Shuman Zhang, and Christian Pilarsky. "Pre-clinical Models of Metastasis in Pancreatic Cancer." Frontiers in cell and developmental biology (2021): 2825.
- Swayden, Mirna, Philippe Soubeyran, and Juan Iovanna. "Upcoming revolutionary paths in preclinical modeling of pancreatic adenocarcinoma." Frontiers in oncology 9 (2020): 1443.