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Empowering colorectal cancer research and drug discovery with trusted tools

Colorectal cancer (CRC), also known as bowel cancer, is the third most diagnosed cancer worldwide, with increasing incidence in younger individuals and rising mortality rates in developing countries¹. CRC arises from mutations or stable epigenetic changes in genes including adenomatous polyposis coli (APC), kirsten rat sarcoma viral proto-oncogene (KRAS), B-Raf proto-oncogene, serine/threonine kinase (BRAF) and tumour protein 53 (TP53). Only 5% of cases are linked to germline mutations, the vast majority result from somatic changes that drive tumour initiation and progression. 

As research advances, effective preclinical models remain essential to understanding the molecular drivers of disease and to identify and validate new therapeutic targets.

Figure 1. Human colon stained for dying cells (active caspase-3). Image by Steve Bagley (CRUK Manchester Institute) & Darren Roberts (Institute of Cancer Sciences).

Figure 1. Human colon.

How CancerTools.org supports CRC research and drug discovery

At CancerTools, we provide an interconnected ecosystem of CRC tools, developed by scientists, for scientists made available to the global research community to accelerate your research and preclinical drug discovery.

Our CRC portfolio can help you:

  • Capture tumour heterogeneity: our portfolio includes in vitro models that mirror the complex heterogeneity of CRC, allowing you to explore tumour subtypes and variable responses with greater fidelity.
  • Investigate drug responses: use our highly translatable patient-derived organoids and cell lines to support drug screening, uncover drug resistance biomarkers.
  • Advance biomarker and mechanistic studies: our antibody collection provides access to highly specific, often unavailable targets, supporting target validation and biomarker discovery.

We make it easy for both academic and commercial teams to access and use these tools without unnecessary barriers.

A flowchart illustrating a scientific process with the stages: "Tumour modelling" , "Preclinical modelling", ''Target interrogation'' & "Molecular studies". Each stage is linked with arrows to show progression.
Figure 2. CRC research ecosystem.

We provide a diverse portfolio of CRC tools for research and drug discovery. Every tool you source from CancerTools not only strengthens your research pipeline but also contributes to our shared mission of accelerating cancer discoveries worldwide. 

Explore curated cell lines, organoids, antibodies and more to accelerate your colorectal cancer studies

HCT 116 BRCA2 -/- [42] Cell Line.
Figure 3. HCT 116 BRCA2 -/- cell line.
Figure 4. Plasmax™ cell culture medium.
Figure 5. RCOL004-3 organoid.
Bowel cancer cell. Cancer Research UK London Research Institute Experimental Histopathology Unit.
Figure 6. Bowel cancer cell.
From Boehlke et al. PLoS ONE 8(9)
Figure 7. Migrating MDCK cells were stained for APC (green), α-tubulin (magenta), and nuclei (blue).
Vector map
Figure 8. pBABE-puro vector.

Tumour modelling – Cell lines that capture genetic & disease diversity

Our broad collection of highly cited colorectal cancer cell lines, including patient-derived models, captures genetic and disease diversity. Offering you reliable tools for exploring tumour biology, mutation driven pathways and drug responses, supporting impactful research and drug development.

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CRC cell lines

Highlights of our CRC cell line portfolio include: 

  • Exclusivity: 20+ unique lines, including HCT 116 derivates from Prof. Carlos Caldas and Sir Walter Bodmer’s (pictured right) pioneering models. Available only through CancerTools.org 
  • Genetic diversity: Lines reflecting the most frequently altered genes in CRC – KRAS, TP53, APC, BRAF, SMAD4, PIK3CA, and more, enabling studies on mutation-driven signalling and targeted therapies.  
  • Disease diversity: Models spanning adenocarcinomas, Dukes’ stage A-D, and metastatic origins supporting discovery and validation across heterogeneous tumours. 
Figure 9. Sir Walter Bodmer, University of Oxford.

Browse by mutation:  

APC

BRAF

KRAS

TP53

Other

Explore by tissue origin:  

Colon

Rectum

Preclinical modelling – Clinically faithful organoids

Explore our collection of CRC patient-derived organoids (F-PDO®) established from patients in the Fukushima project, which closely mirror source tumour tissues. Derived from metastatic and recurrent tumours, these models provide you with insights that advance study into drug responses, resistance mechanisms and biomarker discovery.

Each PDO is: 

  • Clinically faithful – F-PDO® closely mirror the morphology (Figure 10.), genetic and drug response characteristics of their source patient tumours
  • Well characterised – with morphology, whole exome & gene expression analysis, and drug response data available 
  • Reveal unique patient-specific drug responses – Uncover sensitivities and drug resistance biomarkers not observed in cell lines 

Explore the PDO library

RCOL004-3 Colorectal cancer organoid (F-PDO)
Figure 10. The RCOL004-3 PDO forms cell clusters with morphological similarity to its source patient tumour.

Powerful preclinical modelling with mouse models

Our curated offers powerful in vivo tools to explore CRC biology from early transformation to advanced disease and validate potential therapeutic candidates. 

Highlights include: 

  • Cell cycle regulation models: Ideal for dissecting the roles of Fbxw7, FoxM1 & Cyclin D1 in proliferation and tumourigenesis. 

Learn more

Bowel cancer cell. Cancer Research UK London Research Institute Experimental Histopathology Unit.
Figure 11. Bower cancer cell.

Target interrogation – Antibodies to study critical CRC pathways

Our collection of CRC antibodies provides unique access to highly specific, often unavailable targets.

Developed by leading scientists including Professors Joyce Taylor-Papadimitriou and Joy Burchel, among others, these antibodies support your research, enabling target validation, biomarker and mechanistic studies.

Highlights of our CRC antibody portfolio include: 

  • APC Antibodies: for probing a frequently altered tumour suppressor central to Wnt/β-catenin signalling in CRC                                                                                         
  • MUC family antibodies: A rich panel targeting MUC1, MUC2, and MUC3, key tools for decoding mucin-related mechanisms in CRC pathogenesis  
  • CEACAM Antibodies: Targets including CEACAM5, CEACAM6, CEACAM8, ideal for biomarker validation and tumour profiling 
  • Rare and niche targets: Featuring LRAT (Figure 12) & DRAM1 to investigate markers with emerging roles in prognosis and Cdc27 for rare, pathway-specific antibodies supporting niche areas of CRC biology

Access the antibodies

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CRC antibodies

Figure 12. Photomicrographs of normal colonic mucosa (left), primary colorectal cancer (middle) and metastatic CRC (right), showing elevated cytoplasmic LRAT staining in primary and metastatic tissues (PMID: 24608339).

Molecular studies with vectors

The pBABE retroviral vector system continues to play a pivotal role in colorectal cancer (CRC) research thanks to its ability to support stable gene expression, sequential genetic modification, and high-titre viral delivery.

Applications in CRC: 

  • Modelling carcinogenesis: Recreate the stepwise genetic evolution of cancer using sequential pBABE infections³ 
  • Oncogene characterisation: Use pBABE-puro (Figure 13) to stably overexpress candidate oncogenes in CRC cell lines, enabling long term-assessment of proliferation and invasion²   

Browse pBABE vectors

Vector map

Figure 13. pBABE-puro vector map (Cat. #: 151470).

By integrating these CRC tools into your work, you are not just advancing your own research, you are contributing to a global effort to improve outcomes for people affected by colorectal cancer. 

Explore the research ecosystem today and be part of the collaborative effort to transform CRC research and drug discovery. 

 

For our commercial customers

Our dedicated licensing team can assist you in any of your commercial enquiries and help to guide you in identifying the right license for your needs. We support partners in the Pharma, Biotechnology and CRO/CDMO industries. Please contact us below:

Get in touch

References

  1. Hossain et al. 2022. Cancers (Basel). 14(7):1732. PMID: 35406504. Colorectal Cancer: A Review of Carcinogenesis, Global Epidemiology, Current Challenges, Risk Factors, Preventive and Treatment Strategies. 
  2. Xu et al. 2014. Medicine Baltimore. 93(28):e294. PMID: 25526472. XRCC2 promotes colorectal cancer cell growth, regulates cell cycle progression, and apoptosis. 
  3. Hahn et al. 1999. Nature. 400(6743):464-468. PMID:10440377. Creation of human tumour cells with defined genetic elements 

Image credits

  • Figure 1. Human colon. Image by Steve Bagley from the CRUK Manchester Institute and Darren Roberts from the Institute of Cancer Sciences at the University of Manchester.
  • Figure 5. RCOL004-3 F-PFO®. Adapted from Tamura et al. 2018.
  • Figure 6 & 11. Bowel cancer cell. Image by Cancer Research UK London Research Institute Experimental Histopathology Unit.
  • Figure 7. Migrating MDCK cells were stained for APC (green), α-tubulin (magenta), and nuclei (blue). Adapted from Boehlke et al. 2013
  • Figure 8 & 13. pBABE-puro vector. Vector map created using Snapgene.
  • Figure 10. The RCOL004-3 F-PDO® forms cell clusters with morphological similarity to its source patient tumour.  Haematoxylin and eosin–stained images of source patient tumour (left), RCOL004-3 PDO (middle) and phase contrast image (right). Adapted from Tamura et al. 2018.

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