Combination therapies in oncology: The future of CAR T cell therapy for solid tumors?

Chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR T) therapy has demonstrated potentially curative therapeutic efficacies in patients with lymphoma and leukemia.1 This success in hematologic malignancies led to the application of CAR T cell therapy in solid tumors.

Measuring human cytokines in mouse samples in the discovery setting: Understanding immunoassay technology and managing the risk

Mouse models are commonly used in a variety of cancer-related investigations where they host human cells (1). While (immunocompromised) mouse models do have their pros and cons, the mouse remains a commonly utilized test system in preclinical oncology.

Analysis of the tumor-infiltrating myeloid subsets with high dimensional flow cytometry using the Expanded CompMyeloid™ panel

Labcorp Drug Development preclinical oncology offers the new mouse Expanded CompMyeloid™ panel, which provides deep immunophenotypic analysis into myeloid subsets known to regulate the tumor immune response.

Preclinical oncology imaging capabilities and expertise

Rapid non-invasive imaging technologies prove invaluable in diagnosing cancer and monitoring response to therapies. Many, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and X-ray computed tomography (CT), are an essential part of the clinical practice. In preclinical development, the widespread use of mouse models of disease for cancer requires the ability to image mouse models non-invasively to screen for potential drug targets, monitor disease development and therapeutic efficacy, and to detect biomarkers of drug efficacy quickly and in real time.1,2

NCI-H1975-Luc and PC-9-Luc: two models for evaluating brain metastases from non-small cell lung cancer

Lung cancer frequently metastasizes to other parts of the body. One of the most dangerous areas it can travel to is the brain, significantly reducing life expectancy. Unfortunately, these metastases are common. Up to 7% of people already have cancer cells in the brain when they are first diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and 20% to 40% of those with NSCLC will develop this complication during disease progression. Brain metastases occur in stage 4 lung cancer. Stage 4 lung cancer has a poor prognosis, with life expectancy usually being under a year1.

Multiplex IHC for patterns of protein expression, co-expression, and spatial relationships

Multiplex immunohistochemistry (IHC) is an assay that utilizes the basic concept of single antigen staining to detect multiple markers at one time. It allows for the labeling capabilities of peroxidase, alkaline phosphatase and other conjugated primary or secondary antibodies and can be achieved using several common methods including indirect or direct staining protocols.

Modeling immuno-oncology in a humanized mouse

Immune deficient mice by design lack adaptive immunity which makes them an ideal host for supporting the transplantation and growth of human tumor cells. Preclinical xenograft models utilizing immune deficient mice are limited for the investigation of immunotherapies due to this lack of functional immune cells. This spotlight will highlight a method in which human T-lymphocytes cells can propagate within an immune compromised mouse and support tumor xenograft growth.

PC-3M-Luc-C6 – a model for prostate carcinoma

Early detection of prostate cancer is very challenging. Unfortunately patients are asymptomatic until advanced stage disease, leaving them with limited treatment options. The delayed detection also results in an increase in the incidence of metastatic disease. Advanced stage prostate cancer typically metastasizes to the bone and lymph nodes.

GL261-luc: A model for immunotherapy and radiation therapy

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive form of brain cancer. GBM tumors grow within a fairly immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and a relatively immune-privileged central nervous system. For patients diagnosed with GBM, prognosis remains poor with conventional therapies that include radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and surgery.

BT-474 Human ductal breast carcinoma: New life for an old model

The BT-474 cell line has a long history, but many of us thought it had run its natural course and was quickly becoming obsolete.