Abstract PL-2: Patient Derived Xenografts - Pre-Clinical Models for Prevention and Treatment of Metastasis

Abstract

Abstract Twenty to thirty percent of breast cancer patients eventually develop metastasis despite receiving state-of-the-art therapies. Clearly, identifying better ways to eliminate micro-metastatic tumor cells is paramount to eradicating death from breast cancer. Unfortunately, history suggests that developing yet another drug to target yet another pathway involved in tumor progression will not cure breast cancer. We now know that every tumor is unique; each tumor is heterogenous; tumors hijack multiple, redundant pathways to survive and grow; dormant tumor cells are resistant to chemotherapy; and tumors evolve resistance under pressure of therapy. To better understand the problem of metastasis, and to develop better treatments, we must utilize in vivo models of metastasis that best recapitulate heterogenous human breast cancers. We have generated a collection of orthotopic patient-derived breast tumor xenograft (PDX) models from all of the major breast cancer subtypes. We found remarkable fidelity between PDX models and bona fide breast tumors, including the ability to metastasize and to evolve under pressure of treatment. This presentation will highlight the strengths and pitfalls of PDX models of breast cancer and how they might be utilized to develop new strategies for treatment. Citation Format: Alana L. Welm. Patient Derived Xenografts - Pre-Clinical Models for Prevention and Treatment of Metastasis [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Seventh Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2014 Dec 9-13; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(9 Suppl):Abstract nr PL-2.