In our June 2017 blog post, we described advantages and challenges of using syngeneic, GEM, and humanized mouse models for preclinical immuno-oncology (I/O) drug development. In this blog, we expand on this idea and offer thoughts on choosing the most appropriate I/O tumor model for one’s study. While there are benefits …
Advancements and Challenges of Imaging in the Immuno-Oncology Space
Immunotherapy agents (IO) are increasingly being used to treat solid tumors due to their dramatic effects on tumor response. However, the assessment of tumor response is not always straightforward given their unique mechanisms of action which include enhancing immune cell infiltration and activation in tumors. Current standard imaging techniques …
Utilization of Radiation in the Preclinical Oncology Setting
The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2017 over 1.6 million people will be diagnosed with non-skin cancers in the United States. It is known that more than 50% of all cancer patients will receive some sort of radiation therapy as part of their treatment plan. Why is it then …
An Introduction to Immunohistochemistry
Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is an assay that utilizes the biological collaboration of Histology and Immunology. The biochemical interactions between an antibody and antigen permit visual distribution and localization of antibody–antigen interactions. This allows morphology, antigen intensity, and spatial relationships to be determined. We offer high-quality IHC assays onsite to give you …
The State of Modeling Preclinical Immuno-Oncology Pharmacology
The field of cancer immunology or immuno-oncology (I/O) dates back to the 1890’s with efforts by William Coley to treat malignancies by infection with certain bacterial strains.1 Fast forward 120 years, and we have observed the clinical success of multiple checkpoint inhibitor antibodies against cancer specific T cell negative regulatory pathways …
Phospho-Flow Cytometry for the Screening of Intracellular Signaling Events in Cancer Cells and Immune Cells
Pre-clinical research on the development of small molecule inhibitors that block the activity of disease-associated kinases continues to be a major focus of cancer therapy. Therefore, robust platforms that can quantify the phosphorylation state of these kinases are valuable to drug development efforts. Using the MV-4-11 acute myeloid leukemia (AML) …
Preclinical Success to Clinical Failure: Do We Have a Model Problem or an Endpoint Problem?
As the AACR (American Association for Cancer Research) Annual Meeting is fast approaching, many industry and academic scientists are busy preparing talks and posters for what they hope will be the next new wave in cancer therapy or the next “new and improved” preclinical model. However, while these may be …
Use of Luminex® Technology to Quantify Biomarkers and Provide Agent Efficacy
In recent years many researchers have focused on the analysis of circulating soluble cancer biomarkers as an indicator of the host immune response to oncogenesis.1,2,3 Multiple biomarkers can be quantified in order to fully characterize changes in homeostasis brought on by tumor growth and metastasis. The ability to multiplex tumor-type specific …
The Need for Anatomical MRI Staging in Orthotopic Brain Models Monitored by Bioluminescence
The use of MRI to monitor the progression of brain tumors has been an accepted method both in the clinic and preclinically as well. Glioblastoma multiforme (glioblastoma; GBM) is a fast-growing glioma that develops from star-shaped glial cells (astrocytes and oligodendrocytes) that support the health of the nerve cells within …
Measuring Extracellular pH Within Tumors Using CEST MRI
pH is one of the key microenvironmental factors in the development of tumors. Tumor cells are often viewed as high lactate and H+ producers.1 Extracellular acidosis represents a threat to cell survival by modifying the intracellular pH (pHi), wherein a 0.1 pHi variation can disrupt multiple biological functions.2 Measurements of tumor extracellular pH …