Colorectal-cancer-patient-derived Xenografts

ID U-6093

Category Research Tools (Tangible Property)

Subcategory 3D in vitro models

Researchers
David LumAlana Welm
Brief Summary

This mouse model of patient-derived colorectal cancer xenografts, when implanted into the most physiologically relevant areas allows for enhanced and personalized drug development and treatment.

Problem Statement

Colorectal cancer (CRC) leads to almost 50,000 deaths in the United States annually. CRC treatment require patients to undergo tumor resection and, in later stages, chemotherapy. Early-stage progression of CRC and risks associated with chemotherapy, however, have caused physicians to question the benefits of chemotherapy in stage II patients.

Technology Description

A novel model of CRC tumors allows for testing of drug efficacy prior to treatment. Using a patient-derived CRC tumor, a xenograft is implanted into an immune-deficient mouse in the most physiologically-relevant location. This implantation creates a personalized and high-fidelity model of that person’s tumor. Accurate patient-derived models can be used to determine the most effective treatment method for individual patients. These models are also serially propagatable, creating ample opportunities for research, drug testing, and development of new therapies.

Stage of Development

Publication

Benefit

  • Enables personalized, high-fidelity treatment plans to enhance patient outcomes.
  • Retains the histopathology and genomic landscape of original tumor to facilitate in vivo drug efficacy tests.
  • Demonstrates potential for use in research, drug screening, and treatment planning.

Publications

Lum, D. H., Matsen, C., Welm, A. L., & Welm, B. E. (2012). Overview of human primary tumorgraft models: comparisons with traditional oncology preclinical models and the clinical relevance and utility of primary tumorgrafts in basic and translational oncology research. Current Protocols in Pharmacology. doi: 10.1002/0471141755.ph1422s59

Contact Info

Lucia Irazabal
lu.irazabal@utah.edu

Questions?

We support you and your innovation.

Wherever you are on your innovation journey, the Technology Licensing Office is your go-to source to connect you with the U’s innovation ecosystem.

Call 801.581.7792 or send us a message