Cell Line-derived Tumor Xenograft (CDX) Models
Cell line-derived tumor xenograft (CDX) models play a critical role in the study of brain tumors, particularly glioblastomas (GBMs). These models involve implanting established human tumor cell lines into immunocompromised mice, allowing researchers to investigate tumor biology, therapeutic responses, and potential treatment pathways in a controlled environment that closely resembles human pathology.
Introduction to CDX Models for Brain Tumor
The establishment of an ideal tumor animal model is an important part of anti-brain tumor research and plays a pivotal role in basic and therapeutic brain oncology research. Transplanted tumor animal models refer to tumors formed by transplanting animal or human tumors into homozygous or heterozygous animals in successive generations. The human-derived tumor mouse xenograft model is the most widely used, and the cell-line-derived xenograft (CDX) model is one of the most widely used models. The CDX model inoculates human-derived cell lines into immunodeficient mice, allowing you to study the proliferative properties of brain tumor cells in animals, the function of target genes in brain tumors, and the therapeutic effects of drugs on brain tumors.
Our Services
As an essential step in the brain tumor drug discovery process, Alfa Cytology establishes CDX models by screening human brain tumor cells in vitro, passing them through generations, culturing them to establish stable cell lines, and then injecting the tumor cells into immunodeficient mice (BALB/C-nude, nu/nu, SCID, NOD-SCID, etc.). This provides our clients with the critical decision-making information they need to advance their brain tumor therapeutics and facilitate preclinical development programs in a timely and cost-effective manner.
CDX modeling flow
CDX is a stable cell line that has been established in vitro, with better cellular homogeneity and higher inter-individual consistency. CDX grows faster and generally has a shorter cycle of cell expansion culture (10-15 days) and inoculation of mice for drug administration and evaluation (1.5-2.5 months). The CDX model can be used for the initial screening of drugs, and there are previous findings that make the cell background clearer. CDX model is easy and convenient to operate, which can visualize tumor growth and facilitate the detection of important data such as animal weight, tumor growth curve, tumor weight, and also correlation analysis of tissue and body fluid samples.
Established CDX models
| Tumor |
Cell lines |
| Glioma |
A172, U87-MG, U251, U343MG, U373, SW1783 |
| Neurological tumors |
MO59J, U87-MG, U251, SNB-19, SNB-75, SF-295, SF-268, SF-539, SK-N-SH, SK-N-BE-2, H4, T98G, LN-229, LN-18 |
The customer provides
- Experimental needs, detailed experimental requirements
- Drug and other experimental materials
- Modeling methods
Final delivery
- Detailed experimental report
- Tumor-bearing mice
- Data related to various types of tests for animal experiments
- Tumor and major organ specimens, blood samples, pathology results, etc.
Case Study - U87-MG Orthotopic Xenograft Model in NPG Mice
Model Introduction
The human glioblastoma U87-MG orthotopic xenograft model provides a well-established preclinical platform for studying glioma biology and evaluating novel therapeutic strategies. U87-MG is a human glioblastoma cell line derived from malignant gliomas, characterized by aggressive growth and rapid proliferation, making it one of the most widely used cell lines in glioma research. The orthotopic intracranial implantation of U87-MG cells recapitulates the tumor microenvironment of human glioblastoma, making this model suitable for evaluating the in vivo efficacy of antitumor agents.
Model Information
- Model: U87-MG Orthotopic Xenograft Model
- Animals: NPG Mice
- Age: 6 Weeks
Model Construction
The model is established by orthotopically implanting human U87-MG glioblastoma cells into the brain of NPG mice. Intracranial implantation is performed by injecting cells at a site 0.5 mm to the right of the lambda. Tumor growth is monitored non-invasively using bioluminescent imaging.
Fig. 1 Workflow of U87-MG orthotopic xenograft model establishment. (Source: Alfa Cytology)
Model Data
- Tumorigenicity: U87-MG cells demonstrate high tumorigenic potential in NPG mice, with stable tumor formation following intracranial implantation.
- Growth Kinetics: Tumor growth is progressive, with bioluminescent signal intensity increasing over time. At 7 weeks post-implantation, visible intracranial tumors are observed upon dissection, with tumor volumes reaching experimental endpoints.
Fig. 2 Assessment of intracranial tumor growth in NPG mice. (Left) In vivo imaging of tumor signal at 2 weeks post-inoculation. (Right) Dissected intracranial tumor at 7 weeks post-inoculation. (Source: Alfa Cytology)
- Therapeutic Efficacy: Temozolomide (TMZ, 10 mg/kg) significantly suppressed tumor growth and extended survival. At day 49 post-first dosing, TMZ-treated mice showed a 75% survival rate, compared to 25% in the vehicle control group.
Fig. 3 Representative imaging of the U87-MG orthotopic xenograft model. (Source: Alfa Cytology)
CDX models have the advantages of good modeling stability, easy access to cell lines, high success rates, and low modeling costs, and can be applied to brain tumor cell proliferation studies and in vivo screening of anti-brain tumor drugs. Alfa Cytology' CDX models based on severely immunodeficient mice can provide customers with quality pharmacodynamic (PD) services. Please contact our staff for a customized CDX model to meet your needs.
All of our services and products are intended for preclinical research use only and cannot be used to diagnose, treat or manage patients.
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