Patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) as model systems for human cancer. (June 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Invrea, Federica; Rovito, Roberta; Torchiaro, Erica; Petti, Consalvo; Isella, Claudio; Medico, Enzo
• Is Part Of: Current opinion in biotechnology. Volume 63(2020)
• Page Start: 151
• Page End: 156
• Publication Date: 2020-06
• Subjects: Biotechnology -- Periodicals; 660.6
• DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2020.01.003
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0958-1669

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: PDXs are obtained by growing human tumours into immunocompromised mice. Expansion of tumours as PDXs provides unlimited material for molecular profiling. PDXs allow studying response to chemical and biological treatments in vivo . Cancer cells can be obtained from PDXs and used for in vitro studies. Modelling metastasis and tumour-stroma interactions with PDXs. Abstract : Patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) are obtained by transplanting fragments of a patient's tumour into immunodeficient mice. Growth and propagation of PDXs allows correlating therapeutic response in vivo with extensive, multi-dimensional molecular annotation, leading to identification of predictive biomarkers. PDXs are increasingly recognised as clinically relevant models of cancer for several reasons, of which the main is the possibility of studying the behaviour of cancer cells in a natural microenvironment, where they interact with stromal components accrued from the mouse host. PDXs maintain close similarities with the tumour of origin, in terms of tissue architecture, molecular features and response to treatments. Indeed, preclinical trials in PDXs have been shown to match and also anticipate data obtained in patients. Exploration of more complex processes like metastatic evolution and antitumour immune responses is actively pursued with PDXs, as new generations of host models emerge on the horizon.