LTL transplantable cancer tissue lines are xenografts of human cancers obtained by subrenal capsule grafting technology. They have a stable, relatively rapid growth rate, retain major characteristics of the original cancers, and are maintained in host mice by serial transplantation. back to top>
Using the subrenal capsule grafting technique, most cancers so far studied in our laboratory have a high survival rate (>95 %). However, the growth rate of some cancers is too low to allow development of transplantable tissue lines within a reasonable time frame. We have successfully developed transplantable tissue lines from cancers of the human prostate, ovary, lung, kidney, colon, skin, bone and also lymphatic tissue. The success rate for each type of cancer can be found HERE. back to top
Yes. Both cancer tissue lines and cancer cell lines have been isolated from human cancer specimens. As distinct from cancer tissue lines, cancer cell lines have usually been obtained by long-term in vitro culturing. Since the in vitro microenvironment is not optimal, cancer subpopulations can be lost very quickly and additional genetic changes are often observed, resulting in substantial differences between the cell lines and the original cancers. On the other hand, the LTL cancer tissue lines are developed in the subrenal capsule graft site of mice --- a micro-environment which more closely resembles that of the donor. This leads to retention of major characteristics of the original cancer (e.g., tumor growth and metastasis, morphology, genetic profile and drug sensitivity). As such, cancer tissue lines provide better cancer models for basic and translational cancer research, and pre-clinical drug screening. back to top
LTL cancer tissue lines are established by implanting donor cancer tissues into the subrenal capsule graft site instead of the conventionally used subcutaneous graft site. The subrenal capsule graft site appears to be superior as indicated by very high engraftment rates of donor tissues (>95%) compared to the much lower take rates reported for subcutaneous grafts (20-40%). Consequently, the subrenal capsule graft site allows superior retention of the cancers’ subpopulations and hence characteristics of the donor cancers. In view of this, the LTL cancer tissue lines provide better cancer models than subcutaneous tumor grafts. back to top
The LTL human cancer tissue lines resemble the original cancers biologically more closely than, for example, cultured cell lines or subcutaneous tumor grafts. They therefore lead to more clinically relevant drug evaluation. back to top
Yes. Many LTL cancer tissue lines can be used subcutaneously or orthotopically. Please contact us for more information. back to top
Yes. While a cancer tissue line particularly represents the cancer of its donor, it does not represent all aspects of the disease. Testing a drug using three or more cancer tissue lines from a variety of donors will lead to a better prediction of the efficacy of the drug for general use. back to top
The T/C value (i.e., treated to control value) is a measure of the efficacy of a drug. In our assay, the T/C value is determined by comparing tumor volume changes before and after treatment relative to controls. The lower the T/C value, the higher is the efficacy of the drug. back to top