Our next generation PDX model of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) offers the ability to pre-determine de novo drug resistance in fresh patient tumor samples prior to targeted therapy. Implantation of tumor specimens into the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) of the chicken embryo results in high engraftment efficiencies within two days permitting large-scale “tumor avatar” studies due to its angiogenic microenvironment. Functional tumor heterogeneity studies can be performed in context of drug resistance within two weeks, an approach that could guide the selection of drugs and anticipate outcomes for RCC patients. This ultrafast PDX model is mirrored by high-frequency ultrasound imaging that permits quantitation of tumor volume and tumor vascularity in a high-throughput manner. Using this “tumor avatar” model paired with a prospective RCC patient cohort, we observe intratumoral functional heterogeneity in the context of Sunitinib treatment as determined by high-frequency ultrasound imaging, highlighting its interventional potential in the clinic.

Citation Format: Matt Lowerison, Hon S. Leong, Yaroslav Fedyshyn, Ann F. Chambers, James Lacefield, Nicholas E. Power. PDXovo: Ultra-fast in vivo drug sensitivity matrices for renal cell carcinoma patients prior to administration of targeted therapy. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Patient-Derived Cancer Models: Present and Future Applications from Basic Science to the Clinic; Feb 11-14, 2016; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2016;22(16_Suppl):Abstract nr A09.

©2016 American Association for Cancer Research.
2016
American Association for Cancer Research.