In Vivo Research and
Development
PRECOS
scientists have developed, optimised and evaluated
an extensive panel of in vivo models relevant
to each aspect of cancer progression, encompassing
pre-cancerous lesions, primary tumours and
metastasis. PRECOS scientists can assist in
the selection of appropriate cell line and
model systems for optimal drug evaluation,
proof of concept or mechanism of action studies.
To
support a particular oncology speciality,
PRECOS can also collaborate in the development
of specific models for the investigation of
novel therapies.
Unique
Patient-Relevant Disseminated
Tumour Models
- Liver metastasis
model, human colon cell line in
which easily quantifiable liver tumours
occur within a 40-day
time frame.
- Spontaneous lung
metastasis model, human cell line
with the capacity to form both primary tumour
and metastatic lung deposits.
- End-stage ascites
associated with gastric, ovarian
and colorectal tumours.
Orthotopic
and Metastatic Models
- Validated models used
extensively in collaboration with pharmaceutical
and biotechnology companies including orthotopic
models of primary pancreatic, bone, bladder,
colon/gastric and kidney cancer.
- Evaluated by whole body
bioluminescent imaging utilising the Xenogen
biophotonic IVISŪ100 Imaging System.
Industry
Standard Xenogeneic and Syngeneic Tumour Models
- PRECOS holds a bank of
around 150 human, mouse and rat tumour cell
lines for therapeutic evaluation.
- Mouse and rat strains
available include Nude (nunu), SCID, APCMin,
Balb/C and C57/B1 mice, and Nude, FISHER
and BD1X rats.
Tumour
Localisation Studies
- Radiolabels and fluorescent
markers to evaluate tumour localisation/penetration
and body clearance, enabling the development
of appropriate dosing schedules of novel
agents/cytotoxic combinations and the evaluation
of potential imaging and radiotherapeutic
agents per se.
Dosing regimens incorporating
direct administration or slow release devices
are based on those applicable to the patient,
facilitating extrapolation of the results
to the clinic.
UKCCCR
guidelines
PRECOS
conforms to both the spirit and the recommendations
of the United Kingdom Coordinating Committee
for Cancer Research (UKCCCR) guidelines. The
principles of Reduction, Refinement and Replacement
are actively pursued during pre-clinical oncology
research.
