AN3 CA Xenograft Model Service for Endometrial Cancer

The AN3 CA xenograft model is a robust preclinical platform for evaluating therapeutic strategies against metastatic endometrial adenocarcinoma. Alfa Cytology specializes in the development and validation of this model, offering comprehensive in vivo pharmacology services to accelerate your endometrial cancer drug discovery pipeline.
Overview of AN3 CA Xenograft Model for Endometrial Cancer
The AN3 CA cell line was originally established from a lymph node metastasis of a 55-year-old female patient with poorly differentiated endometrial adenocarcinoma. It represents a high-grade, aggressive endometrial cancer subtype characterized by microsatellite instability (MSI), loss of PTEN tumor suppressor function, and activating mutations in FGFR2 (N550K and K310R). These molecular alterations mirror the genomic landscape frequently observed in recurrent and metastatic endometrial cancers, making AN3 CA a clinically relevant model for preclinical research. The cell line exhibits epithelial morphology, grows in loosely adherent clusters in vitro, and demonstrates strong tumorigenicity in immunodeficient mice, producing poorly differentiated malignant tumors that closely resemble the histopathological features of the original patient lesion.
AN3 CA xenograft models have been extensively utilized in preclinical studies to evaluate targeted therapies, including FGFR inhibitors, PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway inhibitors, and combination regimens with cytotoxic agents. The model is particularly valuable for investigating drug resistance mechanisms, as the co-occurrence of PTEN loss and FGFR2 mutations creates a complex signaling environment that challenges single-agent therapeutic approaches. Research has demonstrated that AN3 CA xenografts respond to dual mTORC1/2 inhibition, pan-FGFR inhibitors, and combinational strategies, providing critical pharmacodynamic and efficacy data to support clinical translation. Figure 1 illustrates the molecular characteristics and typical tumor growth kinetics of the AN3 CA xenograft model in immunocompromised hosts.
Figure 1. GLP1R protects EC cells from ferroptosis. (Li, Wu, et al., 2024)
Cell Line Information: AN3 CA
AN3 CA is a well-characterized human endometrial adenocarcinoma cell line with extensive documentation in peer-reviewed literature. The following table summarizes the key biological and molecular characteristics of this cell line.
| Attribute |
Description |
| Cell Line Name |
AN3 CA (also known as AN3-CA, AN3CA, AN-3) |
| Species |
Human |
| Tissue of Origin |
Uterus, Endometrium |
| Disease |
Endometrial Adenocarcinoma |
| Histological Grade |
Poorly Differentiated / Grade 3 |
| Cell Type |
Epithelial |
| Morphology |
Epithelial-like, polygonal, loosely adherent clusters |
| Growth Mode |
Adherent |
| Patient Age |
55 years |
| Patient Gender |
Female |
| Patient Ethnicity |
Caucasian |
| Source |
Lymph node metastasis |
| Tumorigenicity |
Yes, in nude mice; produces poorly differentiated malignant tumors |
| Estrogen Receptor Status |
Negative (ER-) |
| PTEN Status |
Homozygous deletion / loss of function |
| FGFR2 Status |
Activating mutations: N550K (N549K) and K310R |
| PIK3CA Status |
Mutated (putative driver) |
| TP53 Status |
Mutated (missense, dominant-negative) |
| Microsatellite Instability |
Positive (MSI-high) |
| Molecular Subtype |
MMRd (Mismatch Repair deficient) / ARID1A-deficient |
| Karyotype |
Aneuploid; complex chromosomal aberrations including abnormalities of chromosomes 1 and 10 |
| Ploidy Status |
Aneuploid |
| Culture Medium |
Minimum Essential Medium (MEM) + 10% FBS + sodium pyruvate + penicillin/streptomycin |
| Growth Conditions |
37 degrees C, 5% CO2 |
| Biosafety Level |
BSL-1 |
| Applications |
Metastatic endometrial cancer modeling, targeted therapy evaluation, drug resistance studies, hormone response research |
Our Services
Alfa Cytology provides a fully integrated AN3 CA xenograft model service encompassing cell line authentication, tumor implantation, in-life monitoring, and comprehensive endpoint analysis. Our experienced team ensures rigorous quality control throughout the study, delivering reliable pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and efficacy data to support your endometrial cancer therapeutic development. Whether you require standard subcutaneous xenografts or advanced orthotopic implantation, Alfa Cytology tailors each study to meet your specific scientific objectives and regulatory requirements.
Workflow of AN3 CA Xenograft Model Construction
The construction of the AN3 CA xenograft model follows a standardized, quality-controlled workflow designed to ensure reproducible tumor growth and reliable pharmacological readouts. Each step is optimized to preserve the molecular integrity of the cell line and the physiological relevance of the tumor microenvironment.
- Cell Line Authentication and Quality Control: AN3 CA cells are authenticated via STR profiling and verified for mycoplasma, bacteria, fungi, and yeast contamination. Passage number is strictly controlled to maintain genomic stability and tumorigenic potential.
- Cell Culture and Expansion: Cells are cultured in Minimum Essential Medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum under standard conditions (37 degrees C, 5% CO2). Exponentially growing cells are harvested at optimal confluence to ensure high viability for implantation.
- Tumor Cell Preparation: Harvested cells are washed, counted, and resuspended in a sterile serum-free medium or Matrigel mixture at the appropriate concentration. Typical inoculum ranges from 2 x 10^6 to 5 x 10^6 cells per injection site, depending on the study design.
- Animal Preparation and Implantation: Immunodeficient mice (e.g., NOD/SCID, NSG, or athymic nude mice) are acclimatized and randomized into treatment groups. AN3 CA cells are implanted subcutaneously into the flank or orthotopically into the uterine horn, depending on the model requirements.
- Tumor Monitoring and Randomization: Tumor growth is monitored twice weekly using precision calipers or in vivo imaging systems. Mice are randomized into treatment cohorts when tumors reach a predefined volume (typically 100-200 mm^3).
- Treatment Administration and In-Life Observations: Test compounds are administered via the designated route (oral gavage, intraperitoneal, or intravenous). Body weight, clinical signs, and tumor measurements are recorded throughout the study duration.
- Endpoint Analysis and Sample Collection: At study termination, tumors are excised, weighed, and processed for histology, immunohistochemistry, Western blot, or molecular profiling. Blood and organ samples are collected for toxicology and biomarker analysis as required.
Figure 2: Schematic workflow illustrating the derivation and construction of the AN3 CA Xenograft Model at Alfa Cytology.
Case Study-AN3 CA Xenograft Model Development
In a representative preclinical study, AN3 CA xenografts were established in immunodeficient mice to evaluate the efficacy of a novel targeted therapeutic agent. Tumors were successfully engrafted with a high take rate, and animals were randomized upon reaching the target tumor volume. Treatment groups demonstrated dose-dependent tumor growth inhibition compared to vehicle controls, with significant reductions in tumor volume and weight observed at the highest dose level. Pharmacodynamic analysis confirmed target engagement in tumor lysates, and histopathological examination revealed increased apoptosis and reduced proliferation in treated samples. These data supported the advancement of the candidate compound into further preclinical development. Specific quantitative results and detailed protocols can be customized upon request to align with your program requirements.

Why Choose Alfa Cytology?
Alfa Cytology is a dedicated contract research organization focused exclusively on preclinical tumor model services. Our AN3 CA xenograft program is built on scientific rigor, operational excellence, and client-centric flexibility.
- Extensive experience with endometrial cancer models, including AN3 CA, Ishikawa, HEC-1A, and RL95-2 cell lines.
- Rigorous cell line authentication and quality control to ensure data integrity and reproducibility.
- Customizable study designs accommodating subcutaneous, orthotopic, and metastatic model configurations.
- Comprehensive endpoint analysis, including tumor growth kinetics, survival analysis, histopathology, and biomarker profiling.
- Dedicated project management with transparent communication and timely delivery of study reports.
- Competitive pricing and flexible scheduling to align with your drug development timelines.
Contact Us
Are you ready to advance your endometrial cancer therapeutic program with a validated AN3 CA xenograft model? Contact us today to discuss your project requirements, receive a customized study proposal, and learn how Alfa Cytology can accelerate your preclinical research. Our scientific team is available to reach out to you with detailed protocols, pricing, and scheduling information. Partner with Alfa Cytology and turn your research hypotheses into actionable preclinical data.
Reference
- Li, Wu, et al. "GLP1R boosts survival, migration and invasion of endometrial cancer cells and protects against ferroptotic cell death." Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 44.1 (2024): 2301324.
For research use only. Not intended for any clinical use.