| 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
IVIS®100 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.
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