Preclinical Modelling and Therapeutic Development for Other Cancer Indications

Division Of Basic Sciences - Nci

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

To support research advancements in Dr. Laurie Krug's lab at the CCR HIV and AIDS Malignancy Branch, CAPR has embarked on a project aimed at developing pdx modes from Kaposi sarcoma (KS) biopsies. As the clinical KS samples proven themselves to display very low take rate and slow proliferation in recipient mice, specific set of standard operating procedures have been developed for both clinical sample collections and pdx implantations to increase success rate in deriving stable pdx xenografts. In addition to optimizing the experimental protocols, we have performed evaluation of various growth factors and employed humanized IL-6 transgene expressing NSG recipient mouse sub-strain to implant 9 skin biopsies and 3 gastrointestinal tract colonoscopy biopsies from KS patients. Several independent pdx models derived from primary KS patient biopsies underwent comparative histopathology and biomarker evaluation to confirm the identity and currently explored in experimental settings to identify potential therapeutic vulnerabilities of these tumors and test the corresponding set of treatment modalities in high-power drug treatment studies. Alternative procedures for more reliable and sustainable propagation of slowly growing in mice KS tumors have also been evaluated, such as implantation of biopsies into renal capsule.