Abstract 1610: Predicting NSCLC outcomes based on tumor growth in SCID mice

Abstract

Abstract Background. Xenograft models of non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) in immunodeficient mice have played an important role in the study of new chemotherapeutic regimens, including targeted agents. We hypothesize that the success of human tumor implantation in severe combined immune-deficient (SCID) mice will correlate with the observed clinical outcomes in patients with resected NSCLC. Such growth in mice may reflect the aggressiveness of human tumors. Methods. 196 lung cancer specimens from 193 patients who underwent surgical resection of NSCLC from June 1995 to June 2010 were implanted subcutaneously in (SCID) mice. Mice were observed for a period of six months to assess the success of tumor implantation. This was determined by the growth of tumors from 2-3 mm to 10 mm in diameter. Overall and disease free survival in patients were reviewed and were correlated with tumor growth in SCID mice. Results. Median overall and disease free survival in patients with successful tumor implantation in SCID mice was 16.3 months and 4.2 months vs. 38.6 and 20.6 months for patients whose tumor did not grow (logrank p = 0.0039 and 0.0024 respectively.) Half of all patients whose tumor successfully grew in SCID mice recurred or died within twelve months. Conclusions. Success of tumor implantation in SCID correlates with worse clinical outcome in patients with NSCLC. This model can be expanded to evaluate the predicted response of specific tumors to novel chemotherapeutic or molecularly targeted agents. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1610. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-1610