Tissue Acquisition & Processing
Standardized protocols for fresh tumor tissue collection (surgical/biopsy samples). Proprietary media formulations minimize cellular stress and maximize viability.
Patient-derived cell line (PDC) models are established directly from patient tumor tissues, preserving the genetic and phenotypic characteristics of the original malignancy. Unlike traditional cell lines, PDCs retain tumor heterogeneity and drug sensitivity profiles, making them indispensable tools for personalized oncology research. At Alfa Cytology, we leverage advanced cell culture technologies and rigorous validation protocols to develop robust PDC models that accelerate drug discovery, therapy optimization, and biomarker identification.
Patient-derived cell line (PDC) models are advanced preclinical tools developed directly from patient tumor tissues. These models retain the genetic, transcriptomic, and phenotypic diversity of the original tumor, offering a closer representation of human cancer biology compared to traditional cell lines. PDCs are generated through minimally invasive techniques and cultured under conditions that mimic the tumor microenvironment, ensuring preservation of critical molecular features such as driver mutations, copy number variations, and drug sensitivity profiles.
In oncology research, PDC models serve as a bridge between in vitro studies and clinical applications. They are widely used to:
PDC models are particularly valuable in precision medicine, where understanding inter-patient variability is essential for designing targeted therapies.
Fig. 1 Graphical workflow of pharmacogenomic analysis of lung cancer PDCs. (Yu, N., et al., 2023)
This table presents a comprehensive comparison of patient-derived cell (PDC) models and traditional classic cell line models, highlighting the advantages of PDC models in preserving tumor characteristics, establishment time, cost, genetic stability, genetic editing feasibility, and their application in drug screening and clinical prediction, which are crucial for precision medicine and drug development.
Patient-Derived Cell (PDC) Model | Traditional Cell Line Model | |
Preservation of Tumor Characteristics | Better preserves the molecular and phenotypic characteristics of the patient's tumor, reflects the tumor's heterogeneity and complex biological behavior, and is closer to the clinical reality. | After long-term passage, it is prone to losing the original tumor's heterogeneity and key biological characteristics, and differs greatly from the in vivo tumor environment. |
Establishment Time | The median establishment time is around 3 weeks, which is relatively short and can quickly provide model support for clinical applications. | Typically established through long-term in vitro culture, the establishment time may be longer and requires a screening and adaptation process. |
Genetic Stability | The allele frequency of P0-P2 generations is relatively consistent, and the genetic characteristics are relatively stable. | After multiple generations of passage, genetic drift is likely to occur, leading to changes in gene expression and function, which may affect the reliability of research results. |
Feasibility of Genetic Editing | Genetic editing can be performed, such as gene knockout using CRISPR technology, which helps to study the function and mechanism of specific genes. | Genetic editing operations are relatively complex, and due to cell heterogeneity, the editing effects may not be uniform. |
Drug Screening and Clinical Prediction Ability | Can predict the patient's response to treatment, has a better correlation with clinical outcomes, and can screen out more suitable drugs for patients based on the tumor's molecular characteristics. | The ability to predict drug responses and clinical outcomes is relatively weak and may not accurately reflect the patient's actual treatment effects. |
Cost | Lower cost, economical and affordable, suitable for large-scale research and drug screening. | Due to the need for long-term culture and maintenance, the cost is relatively higher, especially for cell lines with slow growth or special culture requirements. |
Patient-derived cell line (PDC) models are advanced preclinical tools developed directly from patient tumor tissues without genetic modification, enabling personalized drug screening in vitro. At Alfa Cytology, our patient-derived cell line (PDC) models directly capture tumor heterogeneity and drug response profiles, enabling high-fidelity preclinical research for personalized cancer therapy development, drug screening, and biomarker discovery.
Tissue Acquisition & Processing
Standardized protocols for fresh tumor tissue collection (surgical/biopsy samples). Proprietary media formulations minimize cellular stress and maximize viability.
Primary Cell Culture
Hypoxic culture conditions, 3D matrix support, and growth factor optimization to mimic the tumor microenvironment. Continuous monitoring of cell morphology and contamination.
Molecular Profiling
Comprehensive genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic analysis to validate genetic stability and phenotypic consistency.
While traditional cancer models struggle to replicate patient-specific tumor complexity, patient-derived cell line (PDC) models are redefining preclinical research. At Alfa Cytology, we bridge this gap through our end-to-end PDC development platform, combining advanced cell culture technologies, multi-omics validation, and AI-driven drug response profiling. Our models preserve tumor heterogeneity and clinical relevance, empowering you to accelerate drug discovery, decode resistance mechanisms, and design personalized therapies with unmatched accuracy. Contact us to explore how our PDC models can accelerate your cancer research.
Reference
For research use only.