BGC-823 Xenograft Model Service for Gastric Cancer

The BGC-823 xenograft model is a well-established preclinical platform for evaluating therapeutic candidates against gastric adenocarcinoma, offering robust tumor engraftment and clinically relevant molecular features. At Alfa Cytology, we provide fully customizable BGC-823 xenograft model services---from cell authentication and tumor inoculation to endpoint analysis---designed to accelerate your gastric cancer drug discovery and biomarker development programs with reliable, reproducible data.

Overview of BGC-823 Xenograft Model for Gastric Cancer

The BGC-823 cell line was originally established in the 1980s from the primary, untreated tumor tissue of a Chinese male patient diagnosed with poorly differentiated gastric adenocarcinoma. As a classic human gastric cancer model, BGC-823 exhibits epithelial-like morphology with polygonal or spindle-shaped adherent growth, prominent nucleoli, and strong proliferative capacity. The cell line expresses key gastric cancer-associated molecular markers including Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) and Mucin 1 (MUC1), and has been extensively utilized to study oncogenic signaling pathways such as PLCgamma1/ERK/MMP, Akt/mTOR, and mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis. In xenograft settings, BGC-823 demonstrates reliable subcutaneous engraftment in immunodeficient murine hosts, forming tumors that recapitulate essential histopathological and growth kinetic features of human gastric adenocarcinoma, making it a cornerstone model for preclinical pharmacology and translational oncology research.

In vivo, the BGC-823 xenograft model supports a broad spectrum of preclinical applications including efficacy screening of cytotoxic agents, targeted therapies, and immune-modulating compounds; evaluation of anti-metastatic strategies; and mechanistic studies of tumor-stroma interactions. Tumor-bearing animals typically show measurable palpable masses within 7-10 days post-inoculation, with tumor growth kinetics suitable for longitudinal therapeutic intervention studies. The model has been validated across numerous independent studies for its sensitivity to standard-of-care agents such as 5-fluorouracil and platinum-based compounds, as well as to novel natural product derivatives and biologics. Its consistent performance, combined with well-characterized molecular profiles, positions the BGC-823 xenograft as a reliable and reproducible system for advancing gastric cancer therapeutics from bench to bedside.

Figure 1. Antiproliferative activity of chidamide alone or in combination with bortezomib in human gastric cancer cell lines. (Zhang, Wanjun, et al., 2020)

Cell Line Information: BGC-823

The following table summarizes the essential characteristics and experimental parameters of the BGC-823 human gastric adenocarcinoma cell line for preclinical xenograft applications.

Our Services

Alfa Cytology delivers end-to-end BGC-823 xenograft model services tailored to your preclinical research objectives. Our integrated platform covers cell line authentication, animal model construction, in-life dosing and monitoring, tumor volume assessment, histopathological and biomarker endpoint analysis, and comprehensive data reporting---ensuring seamless execution from study design to final deliverables. Whether you require standard subcutaneous xenografts, orthotopic implantations, or combination therapy arms with pharmacokinetic sampling, our experienced scientific team works collaboratively to optimize study parameters and generate high-quality, reproducible data that advance your gastric cancer therapeutic pipeline.

Workflow of BGC-823 Xenograft Model Construction

Construction of the BGC-823 xenograft model follows a standardized, quality-controlled workflow that ensures consistent tumor engraftment, animal welfare compliance, and data integrity throughout the preclinical study. The process integrates cell authentication, host preparation, tumor inoculation, health monitoring, and endpoint analysis into a seamless operational pipeline.

1. Cell Authentication and Preparation: BGC-823 cells are recovered from cryopreserved stocks and expanded under sterile culture conditions. Short tandem repeat (STR) profiling and mycoplasma testing are performed to confirm cell identity and purity. Cells are harvested at logarithmic growth phase, washed, and resuspended in serum-free medium mixed with Matrigel (typically 1:1 ratio) to enhance engraftment efficiency.
2. Animal Model Selection and Acclimation: Immunodeficient mice (commonly BALB/c nude or NOD-SCID/NSG strains, 5-6 weeks old) are quarantined and acclimated for 5-7 days under pathogen-free conditions. Baseline body weights and health status are recorded, and animals are randomized into treatment groups prior to tumor cell injection.
3. Tumor Cell Inoculation: BGC-823 cell suspensions (typically 1x10^6 to 5x10^6 cells per site in 100-200 microL volume) are inoculated subcutaneously into the dorsal scapular or flank region using aseptic technique. For orthotopic models, cells may be injected directly into the gastric wall via surgical or endoscopic-guided procedures. The inoculation site is monitored daily for signs of infection or leakage.
4. Tumor Establishment and Monitoring: Tumors are monitored by palpation beginning 3-5 days post-inoculation. Once palpable, tumor dimensions are measured twice weekly using digital calipers, and volume is calculated via the modified ellipsoid formula (V = pi/6 x length x width^2). Animal body weights, clinical signs, and tumor burden are recorded in compliance with IACUC guidelines.
5. Therapeutic Intervention: Upon reaching a predetermined tumor volume (typically 100-200 mm^3), animals are randomized into vehicle control and treatment groups. Test articles are administered according to the study protocol---via oral gavage, intraperitoneal injection, intravenous infusion, or other specified routes---on a defined dosing schedule with concurrent toxicity monitoring.
6. Endpoint Analysis and Data Collection: At study termination, tumors are excised, weighed, and processed for downstream analyses including hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, immunohistochemistry (IHC) for Ki-67, cleaved caspase-3, or target-specific markers, and molecular profiling (Western blot, qPCR, or RNA-seq). Blood and organ samples may be collected for pharmacokinetic and toxicology assessments.
7. Data Compilation and Reporting: All raw data---including tumor growth curves, body weight trajectories, survival records, and histopathological scores---are compiled into a comprehensive study report with statistical analysis. Images, raw data files, and methodology summaries are delivered in formats ready for regulatory submission or publication.

Figure 2: Schematic workflow illustrating the derivation and construction of the BGC-823 Xenograft Model at Alfa Cytology.

Case Study-BGC-823 Xenograft Model Development

In a representative preclinical engagement, Alfa Cytology established a BGC-823 subcutaneous xenograft model to evaluate the anti-tumor efficacy of a novel small-molecule inhibitor targeting the PLCgamma1 signaling axis. Following STR-authenticated cell expansion and inoculation into BALB/c nude mice, tumors reached an average volume of 150 mm^3 within 10 days. Animals were randomized into vehicle control and three escalating-dose treatment groups (n=8 per group). Over a 21-day dosing period, the test compound demonstrated dose-dependent tumor growth inhibition, with the highest dose cohort achieving a statistically significant reduction in tumor volume and weight compared to controls. Endpoint IHC analysis revealed decreased Ki-67 proliferation index and increased cleaved caspase-3 expression in treated tumors, consistent with the proposed mechanism of action. Pharmacokinetic profiling from satellite animals confirmed systemic exposure correlating with efficacy outcomes. Full raw data, statistical reports, and histopathological image sets were delivered to the sponsor within four weeks of study completion. Specific quantitative results are available upon request and can be customized to align with your program's disclosure requirements.

Why Choose Alfa Cytology?

Alfa Cytology combines scientific rigor with operational flexibility to deliver BGC-823 xenograft models that meet the highest standards of preclinical research. Our differentiated capabilities ensure that every study is executed with precision, transparency, and speed.

• Rigorous cell line authentication via STR profiling and mycoplasma screening, ensuring genetic integrity and experimental reproducibility across all BGC-823 xenograft studies.
• Customizable study designs including subcutaneous, orthotopic, and metastatic model configurations, with flexible dosing schedules and combination therapy arms tailored to your compound's mechanism.
• Comprehensive in-life monitoring by trained veterinary staff, with real-time tumor tracking, body weight surveillance, and adherence to strict IACUC and AAALAC welfare standards.
• Integrated endpoint analysis encompassing histopathology, immunohistochemistry, biomarker quantification, and molecular profiling, all conducted in-house to maintain data continuity and quality.
• Accelerated turnaround times with dedicated project management, delivering draft reports and raw data packages within weeks of study completion to keep your development timeline on track.
• Competitive, transparent pricing with no hidden fees, plus the flexibility to scale from pilot proof-of-concept studies to large-scale multi-arm efficacy evaluations.

Contact Us

Ready to advance your gastric cancer therapeutic program with a validated BGC-823 xenograft model? Please reach out to us today via our inquiry form or email to learn more about our BGC-823 Xenograft Model services.

For research use only. Not intended for any clinical use.