Abstract B45: Huntsman Cancer Institute Preclinical Research Resource (PRR) Core

Abstract

Abstract Accumulating evidence from recent genomics data has reinforced the view that tumors can display exceptional heterogeneity between patients, between tumors from the same patient and even within a single tumor. These findings, together with decades of clinical experience with varied drug responses, strongly suggest that personalized approaches to assess cancer risk and treatment will be essential to reduce mortality. New experimental models of human tumor initiation, progression, metastasis, and therapeutic response/resistance are critical to improve cancer treatments. Current models often fail to predict the efficacy of drugs in the clinical setting. This disconnect leads to disappointing clinical trial results that do not considerably improve patient survival, to failure of the FDA to approve new therapies, and to the loss of time and money. The ideal cancer model(s) would: 1) replicate the spectrum of tumor pathologies and subtypes, 2) reproduce genetic and epigenetic alterations found in human tumors, 3) grow in the correct developmental and anatomic context, 4) have an appropriate tumor microenvironment and an intact immune system, and 5) exhibit patterns of metastasis observed in patients. Dr. Alana Welm (HCI) has established a collection of patient-derived orthotopic breast xenografts by implanting patient tumor tissue into mice. Significant evidence demonstrates that patient-derived xenografts (PDX) recapitulate the genomic and phenotypic features of their corresponding patient tumors, and that tumor graft growth and metastasis mirrors clinical outcome in the corresponding patients. We believe that PDXs may provide a remarkable opportunity to predict the best therapy regimens for individuals, a concept termed “personalized” or “precision” medicine. The Preclinical Research Resource (PRR) Core will provide high-quality services for basic and translational cancer research, drug discovery and personalized cancer therapy. The mission of the core will be to: generate the most current and sophisticated patient-derived in vivo cancer models; bridge the gap between basic scientists and clinicians to facilitate seamless bench-to-bedside research; and improve pre-clinical drug efficacy evaluation and examine personalized chemotherapy with patient-derived xenografts. Citation Format: Brittni Smith, Oksana Kavetska, Guoying Wang, David Henry Lum{Authors}. Huntsman Cancer Institute Preclinical Research Resource (PRR) Core. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Patient-Derived Cancer Models: Present and Future Applications from Basic Science to the Clinic; Feb 11-14, 2016; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2016;22(16_Suppl):Abstract nr B45.