Objective
There is a need for novel and more relevant pre-clinical tumour models which are able to better predict patient outcomes. Many animal models are unable to fully recapitulate the complex tumour heterogeneity observed in individual patients.In addition, differences between the murine and human immune systems can lead to differential response to targeted immune-oncology therapies.
Accordingly, we have developed an ex-vivo explant model which utilises freshly resected patient tumour samples to improve predictivity over animal models in cancer research and drug development.
Culturing tumour explants enables us to investigate drug responses in situ, thus allowing one to assess the contribution of the tumour microenvironment to drug response. This is essential to advance personalised medicine and profile novel first in class molecules in a relevant model. Drug responses are assessed using multiplexed fluorescent immunohistochemistry, which allows us to distinguish between drug effects in tumour area versus surrounding stroma as well as the potential contribution of the host’s immune system.
Early data obtained with tissue explants treated with established drugs like cisplatin or novel test compounds will be presented. By bridging the gap between cell culture and clinical research, this 3D culture of human explant provides an exciting and innovative tool in translational cancer research.
