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Adenocarcinoma

Alfa Cytology is at the forefront of preclinical pancreatic cancer research, specializing in adenocarcinoma services. Our primary goal is to advance understanding and therapy development for adenocarcinoma through comprehensive and customized research solutions.

Introduction to Adenocarcinoma

Adenocarcinoma is a type of cancer that originates in glandular tissues and is one of the most prevalent forms of cancer affecting organs such as the pancreas, colon, and lungs. Most cancers of the breast, lung, esophagus, stomach, colon, rectum, pancreas, prostate, and uterus are adenocarcinomas. According to recent studies, pancreatic adenocarcinoma accounts for approximately 85% of all pancreatic cancer cases and has a five-year survival rate of less than 10%. The disease is characterized by late detection and rapid progression, making early diagnosis and effective treatment challenging.

Fig. 1 Adenocarcinoma spectrum: pathological and radiological characterization.Fig. 1 Features of the adenocarcinoma spectrum: pathological and radiological characterisation. (Succony, L.; et al., 2021)

Therapeutics for Adenocarcinoma

Several drugs are currently in various stages of the developmental pipeline, and here are some key examples.

Therapeutics Molecular Type Target Phase
APX005M Monoclonal Antibody CD40 receptor Phase II
Napabucasin (BBI-608) Small Molecule Inhibitor STAT3 protein Phase III
Pegilodecakin (PEG-rIL-10) Cytokine (PEGylated interleukin-10) Macrophages and T-cells Phase III
AM0010 Recombinant human interleukin-10 IL-10 receptor Phase III
Pamrevlumab (FG-3019) Monoclonal Antibody CTGF Phase III

Our Services

With state-of-the-art preclinical research facilities and a team of dedicated biologists and scientists, Alfa Cytology is committed to conducting groundbreaking in vitro and in vivo studies to unravel the complex mechanisms of adenocarcinoma and offers a full range of services to scientists around the globe who are exploring innovative therapies.

Cancer Modeling Services

Our cancer modeling platform provides robust and predictive models that mimic the complexity of human adenocarcinoma. The main types of models we can offer include the following:

  • Patient-Derived Xenograft Models: Human tumor tissues implanted in immunodeficient mice to study tumor growth and drug response.
  • Genetically Engineered Mouse Models: Mice genetically modified to carry mutations commonly found in adenocarcinoma, used for studying disease mechanisms and drug efficacy.
  • Organoid Models: 3D cultures derived from patient tumors that mimic the architecture and function of adenocarcinoma tissues, used for drug screening and personalized medicine.
  • Syngeneic Models: Mouse tumor cell lines implanted in immunocompetent mice to study immune responses and evaluate immunotherapies.
  • Cell Line-Derived Xenograft Models: Cancer cell lines implanted in mice to assess tumor growth and therapeutic responses.

Therapeutic Development Services

Our therapeutic development platform utilizes cutting-edge technologies and methodologies focused on the development and innovation of various adenocarcinoma drugs.

Adenocarcinoma Diagnostic Development Services

Alfa Cytology's diagnostic development platform leverages advanced technologies to offer innovative diagnostic services.

  • Biomarker Discovery and Validation: This Includes blood-based biomarker discovery and tissue biomarker discovery, utilizing advanced technologies to identify novel biomarkers for early detection and therapeutic targeting.
  • Molecular Diagnostics: Development of assays for detecting genetic mutations, gene expression, and epigenetic changes associated with adenocarcinoma.
  • Imaging Services: This includes quantitative tumor area analysis and immuno-oncology tissue imaging and analysis, to gain precise insights into tumor morphology and immune landscape.
  • Multi-omics Services: Our comprehensive services encompass genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, epigenomics, and immune-omics, offering a holistic approach to unraveling the complexities of adenocarcinoma at multiple molecular levels.

Case Study - Orthotopic Pancreatic Cancer Stem Cell Model

  • Model Introduction

The orthotopic pancreatic cancer stem cell (PCSC) xenograft model in immunodeficient mice is a clinically relevant preclinical platform for evaluating targeted nanotherapeutics. By surgically implanting human pancreatic cancer stem cells directly into the pancreas, this model recapitulates the native tumor microenvironment and allows for the study of tumor growth, spontaneous metastasis. Crucially, the specific biodistribution and targeting efficiency of antibody-functionalized.

  • Model Information
  • Model: Orthotopic PCSC Xenograft Model
  • Animal: NOD Scid Gamma (NSG) Mice
  • Weight: 18-22 g
  • Molecular Profile: PCSCs exhibit high expression of stem cell markers (CD44, CXCR4, ALDH1 activity).
  • Cancer Type: Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma
  • Age: 6-8 Weeks
  • Cell Line Origin: BxPC-3 human pancreatic cancer cell line, enriched for CD44+ cancer stem cells (PCSCs).
  • Model Construction

The orthotopic model was established by performing a medial laparotomy on anesthetized male NSG mice. The orthotopic model was established by performing a medial laparotomy on anesthetized male NSG mice. A suspension of 2 × 105 BxPC-3-SELWP PCSCs mixed with Matrigel was injected directly into the tail of the pancreas. Tumor engraftment and growth were successfully monitored non-invasively via bioluminescence imaging and palpation, with tumors reaching approximately 500 mm3 for subsequent experiments.

Fig. 2 Workflow of orthotopic PCSC xenograft model establishment. (Source: Alfa Cytology)

  • In Vivo Efficacy Evaluation

This study employed the established orthotopic PCSC model to evaluate the specific tumor-targeting capability of the anti-CD44 nanoformulation. When primary tumors reached 500 mm3, mice received a single intravenous injection of fluorescent dye (IR-780 iodide)-loaded anti-CD44 nanoformulation or control non-targeted nanoformulation. Biodistribution was assessed over one week using in vivo imaging systems (IVIS).

  • Specific Tumor Accumulation: The anti-CD44 nanoformulation demonstrated a clear and strong accumulation specifically in the orthotopic pancreatic tumor site, as visualized by near-infrared fluorescence imaging.
  • Ex Vivo Confirmation: After one week, organs and tumors were excised and imaged. Fluorescence signal from the anti-CD44 nanoformulation was predominantly localized in the tumor tissue, correlating with the bioluminescence signal from the engineered PCSCs.

Fig. 3 Biodistribution and tumor-specific targeting of anti-CD44 nanoformulation in an orthotopic PCSC model. (Source: Alfa Cytology)

Alfa Cytology is dedicated to advancing preclinical research in pancreatic adenocarcinoma, offering a comprehensive suite of services to support the development of innovative therapies. Our experienced team of scientists, researchers, and technicians can provide flexible and scalable services to meet the specific needs of our clients at every stage of a project. For cutting-edge research solutions tailored to your needs, contact us today to explore how our specialized services can drive your research forward.

Reference

  1. Succony L, et al. Adenocarcinoma spectrum lesions of the lung: Detection, pathology and treatment strategies. Cancer treatment reviews. 2021, 99: 102237.
All of our services are intended for preclinical research use only and cannot be used to diagnose, treat or manage patients.