PDX Services

Accelerate cancer research with Patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models, providing patient-derived xenografts for studying tumor biology and testing therapies with the Mouse Biology Program.

The Mouse Biology Program specializes in rapidly creating patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models using freshly harvested and frozen tumors. These tumors can be implanted heterotopically, subcutaneously, or orthotopically under the renal capsule into highly immunodeficient mouse strains (e.g., NSG, NRG) or immuno-humanized mice. These PDX models provide a highly relevant platform for studying human cancers in a living system, allowing researchers to investigate tumor growth, metastasis, and therapeutic responses in a controlled, reproducible environment.

Once the PDX models are established, we offer a wide range of additional services to support ongoing research, including:

Serial Passage
Drug Testing
Tumor Harvest
Histopathology
Genetic and Immune Profiling

Serial Passage

Our Serial Passage services allow for the continuous propagation of tumors through multiple generations, ensuring a stable and consistent model that reflects the biology of the original tumor. This process is essential for studying tumor evolution, as it preserves key characteristics of the tumor’s growth and response patterns over time.

By maintaining tumor biology across generations, serial passage helps in examining changes in tumor behavior, resistance mechanisms, and cellular adaptation to the host environment. This approach supports long-term studies, enabling researchers to investigate tumor progression, treatment resistance, and the impact of various interventions over multiple passages.

Our experienced team handles all aspects of the passage process, from implantation to monitoring, ensuring that each generation faithfully represents the original tumor’s biology for robust research outcomes.

Drug Testing

We offer comprehensive in vivo drug testing services to assess the efficacy of potential therapeutic compounds on tumor growth and survival. These studies provide valuable insights into how tumors respond to different treatments, enabling researchers to identify effective therapies, therapeutic windows, and potential resistance mechanisms.

Our team conducts detailed dose-response studies to evaluate drug impact on tumor progression, using a variety of metrics including tumor volume measurement, survival analysis, and toxicity assessment. We also examine resistance development over time, allowing researchers to understand and anticipate how tumors may adapt to treatments.

In addition, we offer pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic analyses to provide a complete picture of drug distribution, absorption, and efficacy, supporting informed decisions in drug development and optimization.

Tumor Harvest

Our Tumor Harvest services allow researchers to collect tumors at precise time points or target sizes, facilitating downstream analysis and characterization. Harvesting is conducted under carefully controlled conditions to preserve the integrity of the tissue for various applications, including histopathology, genetic analysis, and immunological studies.

Upon reaching the desired tumor size, our team performs a meticulous excision procedure to ensure minimal disruption to the tissue. The harvested tumor can then be immediately processed for further examination or preserved for future studies.

This service provides high-quality samples for a variety of analyses, supporting detailed examination of tumor biology, progression, and the effects of therapeutic interventions.

Histopathology

Our Histopathology services offer a detailed examination of harvested tumors, allowing researchers to assess morphological characteristics and confirm tumor identity. This is critical for verifying the integrity of the tumor model and ensuring that it retains key characteristics relevant to the study.

Our histological examination includes a variety of staining techniques, such as hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) for general morphology, as well as specialized stains that highlight specific cellular structures and markers. Each slide is reviewed by certified histotechnologists and, if requested, a board-certified veterinary pathologist with expertise in oncology and mutant mouse pathology.

We also provide digital imaging of slides, allowing researchers to access high-resolution images of tumor sections, facilitating detailed analysis and easy sharing of data with collaborators.

Genetic and Immune Profiling

Our Genetic and Immune Profiling services provide in-depth characterization of both the tumor and the host’s immune response, offering a comprehensive view of the tumor microenvironment. This includes analyses of gene mutations, gene expression patterns, and immune cell populations within the tumor.

We use advanced molecular techniques, such as next-generation sequencing (NGS) and quantitative PCR (qPCR), to identify genetic alterations and expression levels of key genes associated with tumor growth and resistance. Additionally, we provide immune profiling through flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry, characterizing the presence and activity of immune cells within the tumor.

This multi-faceted approach provides valuable insights into the tumor’s genetic landscape and immune interactions, supporting studies in cancer biology, immunotherapy, and drug response.

Accelerate Cancer Research with Cutting-Edge PDX Services

With the Mouse Biology Program’s Patient-Derived Xenograft (PDX) services, you can unlock new possibilities in cancer research. From studying tumor biology to testing personalized treatments, our expertise ensures reliable and impactful results. Contact us today to learn how our PDX models can accelerate your discoveries and drive meaningful advancements in oncology.

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