PDXs

PDXs provides a resource of 79 genomically and clinically annotated patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models for preclinical research in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Key Features:

• Extensive Characterization: Each PDX model includes histopathologic features, mutational profiles, gene expression patterns, and copy-number aberrations.
• Diverse Cancer Models: The collection comprises 37 lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and 33 lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) models plus models of small cell carcinoma, large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma, adenosquamous carcinoma, and pleomorphic carcinoma.
• Genomic Consistency: Genomic profiles of LUAD and LUSC PDX models align with patient tumors from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), with clinically relevant mutations in original patient tumors confirmed in engrafted PDX tumors.
• Resistance Models: The resource includes models exhibiting de novo and acquired resistance to targeted therapies with tyrosine kinase inhibitors.
• Treatment Response Replication: Treatment studies on selected models recapitulate responses expected from their genomic profiles.

Scientific Applications:

• Drug Efficacy Testing: A preclinical platform for evaluating novel therapeutic agents and drug combinations against NSCLC models.
• Translational Research: Models retain key features of originating patient tumors to support translation of laboratory findings to clinical contexts.
• Molecular Subtype Studies: Alignment with gene expression–based molecular subtypes enables investigation of subtype-specific therapeutic responses and resistance mechanisms.

Methodology:

Characterization comprises histopathologic assessment, mutational profiling, gene expression analysis, and copy-number aberration assessment, with comparative analysis to TCGA and confirmation of clinically relevant mutations in engrafted PDX tumors.