Patient Derived Xenograft (PDX) models: Frequently asked questions

PDX models are created by implanting human tumour tissue into immunodeficient mice.

PDX models are superior in recapitulating patient tumour characteristics including spatial structure, intratumour heterogeneity, genomic features, tumour growth rates, metastatic patterns and drug responses. These highly translatable preclinical models can be used to more accurately predict therapeutic efficacy and de-risk preclinical in vivo drug validation.

Fresh or thawed human breast tumour fragments were implanted into the cleared inguinal mammary fat pad of female immunocompromised mice [NOD scid gamma (NSG) Jackson Laboratory 5557; NOD/scid, Jackson Laboratory 1303 or NOD rag gamma (NRG), Jackson Laboratory 7799].  

For liquid specimens, pleural effusion, or ascites fluid, 1-2 milion cells were injected into cleared mammary fat pads in Matrigel.  

For estrogen receptor positive (ER+) tumours, mice were dosed with E2 beeswax pellets and given supplemental E2 via drinking water. When tumours reached 1-2 cm in diameter, tumours were aseptically collected and re-implanted into new mice or banked. Estrogen-independent ER+ breast PDX models were generated when ER+ PDX tumours were implanted into ovariectomised mice without E2 supplementation.  

Additional Information on PDX establishment can be found here: https://www.nature.com/articles/s43018-022-00337-6/figures/9 

We are providing vials containing early passage (P3-P9) cryopreserved PDX tumour tissue fragments, including those from the most advanced and lethal forms of breast cancer, such as aggressive, metastatic and treatment–resistant subtypes. Each vial contains 5 good fragments, and we recommend implanting 1 fragment into 1 mouse. 

Shipping temperature: Dry ice (-80°C) 

Storage temperature: Transfer to liquid nitrogen (–196°C) for long term storage 

We can provide STR profiling and human and mouse pathogen testing data upon request. 

Fresh or thawed human breast tumour fragments were implanted into the cleared inguinal mammary fat pad of female immunocompromised mice [NOD scid gamma (NSG) Jackson Laboratory 5557; NOD/scid, Jackson Laboratory 1303 or NOD rag gamma (NRG), Jackson Laboratory 7799].  

For liquid specimens, pleural effusion, or ascites fluid, 1-2 milion cells were injected into cleared mammary fat pads in Matrigel.  

For estrogen receptor positive (ER+) tumours, mice were dosed with E2 beeswax pellets and given supplemental E2 via drinking water. When tumours reached 1-2 cm in diameter, tumours were aseptically collected and re-implanted into new mice or banked. Estrogen-independent ER+ breast PDX models were generated when ER+ PDX tumours were implanted into ovariectomised mice without E2 supplementation.  

Additional Information on PDX establishment can be found here: https://www.nature.com/articles/s43018-022-00337-6/figures/9 

We are providing vials containing early passage (P3-P9) cryopreserved PDX tumour tissue fragments, including those from the most advanced and lethal forms of breast cancer, such as aggressive, metastatic and treatment–resistant subtypes. Each vial contains 5 good fragments, and we recommend implanting 1 fragment into 1 mouse. 

Shipping temperature: Dry ice (-80°C) 

Storage temperature: Transfer to liquid nitrogen (–196°C) for long term storage 

We can provide STR profiling and human and mouse pathogen testing data upon request. 

For more information on these models, please read the publications below: 

• A human breast cancer-derived xenograft and organoid platform for drug discovery and precision oncology 

• Tumor grafts derived from women with breast cancer authentically reflect tumor pathology, growth, metastasis and disease outcomes 

• Patient-derived models of human breast cancer: protocols for in vitro and in vivo applications in tumor biology and translational medicine 

Whole exome sequencing, SNP array, CNV data and RNA sequence from Guillen et al. 2022 Nature Cancer, is available in NIH database dbGaP under accession number phs002479.v1.p1.

This collection of NSCLC PDX models were derived from multiple regions of primary NSCLC tumours from patients enrolled in the Lung TRACERx study.

Primary NSCLC tumour material was minced and injected subcutaneously in the flank of immunodeficient male NOD scid gamma (NSG) mice in growth factor-reduced matrigel. To prepare frozen tumour samples for injection, the sample cryovial was warmed in a 37°C water bath until just thawed. The whole sample was then transferred into a sterile 1.5 ml centrifuge tube and topped up with transport medium. The sample was centrifuged at 300 x g for 5 minutes and the supernatant was removed. The sample was then washed with transport medium. If required, any large pieces of tissue were collected and finely minced with a scalpel to ensure they could pass through a 16G needle. The sample was then centrifuged again, gently resuspended in ice-cold Matrigel, and kept on ice before subcutaneous injection. When tumours reached 1.5 cm3 in volume (calculated as 0.5 x length x width2), tumours were aseptically collected and reimplanted into new mice or cryopreserved.  

We are providing vials containing early passage (P1-P4) cryopreserved minced PDX tissue. Each vial contains sufficient PDX tumour tissue to inject into one mouse for local expansion and banking.

Shipping temperature: Dry ice (-80°C)

Storage temperature: Transfer to liquid nitrogen (–196°C) for long term storage

We provide a Product Information Sheet for each model, on the respective product page, showing clonal mutations and representative histology images. Pathogen testing records of mouse colonies used to generate these models are available upon request. STR profiling has not been routinely performed on these models, however, mutation data is available from:

Hynds R.E. et al., Nature Communications 15, 4653 (2024). PMID: 38821942

For more information on these models, please read the publications below: 

• Representation of genomic intratumor heterogeneity in multi-region non-small cell lung cancer patient-derived xenograft models

• Phenotyping of lymphoproliferative tumours generated in xenografts of non-small cell lung cancer 

Mutation data is available from Hynds R.E. et al., Nature Communications 2024. Raw whole-exome sequencing data available via TRACERx data committee under study accession code EGAS00001007364 and dataset accession code EGAD00001012228.