Abstract B18: Champions Tumorgraft™ models demonstrate spontaneous metastases.

Abstract

Abstract One of the challenges in oncology drug development is the lack of in vivo models that demonstrate the spontaneous metastatic process. Standard subcutaneous implantation of cell-line based xenografts models seldom results in the generation of spontaneous metastatic lesions. In general, experimental metastatic models are utilized which requires the intravenous injection of cells or orthotopic implantation of tumors cells to replicate metastases. These methods fail to capture the full process of metastases and only capture seeding in the distant location. Champions Oncology utilizes its innovative Champions Tumorgraft™ platform where primary human tumors are implanted into immunocompromised mice in a manner that preserves the biological properties of the original human tumor. As part of its extensive characterization, Champions has recently observed an increasing number of Champions Tumorgraft™ models demonstrating spontaneous metastatic lesions following subcutaneous (s.c.) implantation. The tumor types demonstrating spontaneous metastasis include breast, melanoma, colorectal, esophageal adenocarcinoma, and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Two Champions Tumorgraft models highlighted in this report are CTG-0033, a breast cancer model, and CTG-0213, a melanoma model. These Champions Tumorgraft models demonstrate frequent metastases to the liver and spleen following s.c. implantation. For model CTG-0033, metastases were seen in greater than 75% of the animals following implantation. The metastatic behavior of this Tumorgraft model also parallels the clinical disease progression. For instance, CTG-0033 was derived from a breast cancer patient who, following the development of the Tumorgraft model, developed extensive metastases. Given that treatment failures clinically are often due to recurrence of the tumor at metastatic locations, there is significant need for in vivo models that replicate the spontaneous metastatic process. Overall, numerous Champions Tumorgraft models implanted s.c. exhibit spontaneous metastatic behavior and are therefore ideal models for oncology drug development focused on inhibition of metastases. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference: Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2011 Nov 12-16; San Francisco, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2011;10(11 Suppl):Abstract nr B18.