ES-2 / ES-2-luc Orthotopic Mouse Model Service for Ovarian Cancer

The ES-2 / ES-2-luc orthotopic mouse model is a clinically relevant preclinical platform that recapitulates the growth, peritoneal dissemination, and metastatic spread of ovarian cancer within its native anatomical site. Alfa Cytology is a contract research organization (CRO) specialized in preclinical oncology services. With proven expertise in orthotopic xenograft construction and in vivo bioluminescence imaging, Alfa Cytology delivers well-characterized ES-2 / ES-2-luc orthotopic mouse models to support your ovarian cancer research programs, from candidate screening to mechanism-of-action studies.

Overview of ES-2 / ES-2-luc Orthotopic Mouse Model for Ovarian Cancer

The ES-2 cell line was established from a surgical tumor specimen obtained from a 47-year-old woman diagnosed with poorly differentiated ovarian clear cell carcinoma and was initially cultured in soft agar, an approach that favors transformed, anchorage-independent tumor cells. This human cell line displays fibroblast-like, adherent morphology, a short doubling time of approximately 24 hours, and carries a BRAF mutation. It exhibits low-to-moderate resistance to several chemotherapeutic agents, including cisplatin, doxorubicin, carmustine, and etoposide, while expressing only low levels of P-glycoprotein, which makes it a widely used tool for studying ovarian tumor biology and treatment response.

Fig 1. Intraperitoneal ES2-luc xenograft model (2×10⁶ cells/150 μL PBS, right lower quadrant) treated with PBS, ¹⁸F-FDG, Ce6, verteporfin or combinations, showing BLI at before/day 1/day 5 with quantified relative ROI luminescence where ¹⁸F-FDG+verteporfin produced the strongest tumor suppression (~5×10⁶ radiance vs PBS ~15×10⁶ at day 5), significantly prolonged survival (Kaplan-Meier) and stable body weights in ES2-luc-bearing nude mice. (Chen, Yi-An, et al., 2021)

When implanted orthotopically into the ovarian bursa of immunodeficient mice, ES-2 cells give rise to rapidly growing primary ovarian tumors followed by abdominal dissemination, omental metastasis, and ascites formation, closely mimicking the natural progression of human ovarian cancer. The luciferase-tagged derivative, ES-2-luc, is engineered to stably express firefly luciferase, enabling non-invasive, real-time monitoring of tumor burden and metastatic spread through in vivo bioluminescence imaging. Together, the ES-2 and ES-2-luc orthotopic models provide a robust and reproducible setting for in vivo evaluation of novel therapeutics, combination regimens, and anti-metastatic strategies in ovarian cancer research.

Cell Line Information: ES-2 / ES-2-luc

The table below summarizes the key characteristics of the ES-2 human ovarian cancer cell line and its luciferase-labeled derivative, ES-2-luc, both of which are extensively characterized and widely applied in ovarian cancer research.

Our Services

Alfa Cytology offers end-to-end ES-2 / ES-2-luc orthotopic mouse model services for preclinical ovarian cancer research. Our team handles every stage of the study, including cell authentication and expansion, orthotopic implantation by experienced surgeons, longitudinal in vivo imaging, treatment administration, and comprehensive endpoint analyses, ensuring reliable and publication-quality data for your project.

Workflow of ES-2 / ES-2-luc Orthotopic Mouse Model Construction

Construction of an ES-2 / ES-2-luc orthotopic model combines meticulous cell preparation with precise microsurgical implantation and systematic in vivo monitoring. The general workflow proceeds as follows:

1. Cell expansion and quality control: ES-2 or ES-2-luc cells are expanded under optimized conditions and verified for identity by STR profiling, mycoplasma-free status, and, for the labeled line, stable luciferase expression confirmed by in vitro bioluminescence assay.
2. Animal preparation: Female immunodeficient mice (e.g., BALB/c nude or NSG strains, 4–8 weeks of age) are acclimatized and randomized into study groups in accordance with an approved animal ethics protocol.
3. Cell preparation for inoculation: Cells in the logarithmic growth phase are harvested, counted, and assessed for viability; a single-cell suspension is prepared in an appropriate carrier, with Matrigel optionally used to improve initial engraftment.
4. Orthotopic implantation: Under anesthesia, 1 × 10⁶ ES-2 or ES-2-luc cells are microinjected into the ovarian bursa, or tumor fragments from donor xenografts are implanted using surgical orthotopic implantation (SOI) to achieve higher take rates.
5. Baseline imaging and randomization (ES-2-luc): Bioluminescence imaging is performed shortly after implantation to confirm successful inoculation and to establish baseline tumor signals before animals are allocated to treatment groups.
6. Longitudinal monitoring: Tumor progression is tracked at scheduled intervals by in vivo bioluminescence imaging, with body weight, abdominal circumference, and general health status recorded throughout the study.
7. Treatment administration (optional): Test compounds, biologics, or combination regimens are dosed according to the study design, with dosing routes and schedules customized to each program.
8. Endpoint analysis: At study termination, mice are necropsied to measure primary tumor weight and dimensions, count metastatic nodules on peritoneal surfaces and omentum, collect ascites, and harvest tissues for H&E and immunohistochemical staining, followed by consolidated data analysis and reporting.

Fig 2. ES-2 / ES-2-luc orthotopic mouse model construction workflow.

Case Study-ES-2 / ES-2-luc Orthotopic Mouse Model Development

Alfa Cytology has supported numerous preclinical research programs with the development and application of ES-2 and ES-2-luc orthotopic ovarian cancer models. Our experience spans model establishment and take-rate optimization, longitudinal in vivo efficacy evaluation of single agents and combination regimens, and downstream histopathological and biomarker analyses of primary tumors and metastatic lesions. Study designs, group sizes, and readouts are tailored to each client’s specific research questions, and full raw data packages are available to support downstream decision-making and publication needs.

Why Choose Alfa Cytology?

Alfa Cytology combines deep expertise in orthotopic oncology modeling with disciplined quality standards, giving your ES-2 / ES-2-luc ovarian cancer program the reliability it demands. Key advantages include:

• Authenticated, well-characterized cell lines with STR profiling, mycoplasma testing, and verified luciferase expression for ES-2-luc.
• Skilled microsurgical team with extensive hands-on experience in ovarian bursa implantation and SOI procedures, ensuring high and consistent engraftment rates.
• Advanced in vivo imaging capability for sensitive, quantitative, and longitudinal tracking of tumor burden and metastatic dissemination.
• Flexible, customizable study designs covering efficacy testing, dose optimization, combination strategies, and mechanism-of-action endpoints.
• Comprehensive endpoint portfolio including necropsy, metastatic nodule counts, ascites measurement, and H&E/IHC histopathology.
• Responsive, Ph.D.-level scientific support with transparent communication and fast turnaround from study design to final report.

Contact Us

Ready to advance your ovarian cancer research with a validated ES-2 / ES-2-luc orthotopic model? Contact us today to discuss your study goals, request a customized proposal, or learn more about our full range of preclinical oncology services. Reach out to us at Alfa Cytology, and let our team help you design the right experiment for your next breakthrough.

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