LS 180 Xenograft Model Service for Colon Cancer

The LS 180 xenograft model provides a well-characterized platform for evaluating therapeutic efficacy against colorectal adenocarcinoma in vivo, leveraging a human colon cancer cell line with documented mucin secretion, CEA expression, and KRAS-mutant biology. Alfa Cytology delivers robust, GLP-compliant LS 180 xenograft studies tailored to your preclinical pipeline, combining validated cell line sourcing, standardized tumor implantation workflows, and comprehensive endpoint analyses to accelerate your colon cancer drug development program.

Overview of LS 180 Xenograft Model for Colon Cancer

The LS 180 cell line was originally established in 1976 from a primary colon adenocarcinoma (Dukes type B) resected from a 58-year-old Caucasian female patient. It represents a well-differentiated colorectal adenocarcinoma with epithelial morphology, goblet-cell-like features, and abundant mucin secretion. The cell line exhibits microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) status and carries key driver mutations including ACVR2A and CTNNB1, making it a biologically relevant model for studying Wnt/beta-catenin signaling dysregulation and TGF-beta pathway alterations in colorectal cancer.

In xenograft applications, LS 180 demonstrates consistent tumorigenicity in immunodeficient mice, with subcutaneous implantation typically yielding palpable tumors within 7-10 days and reaching evaluable volumes (100-200 mm^3) within 2-3 weeks post-inoculation. The model has been widely employed in preclinical studies to assess chemotherapeutic agents, targeted therapies (including EGFR and KRAS pathway inhibitors), antibody-drug conjugates, and combination regimens. Its documented expression of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and elevated sialyl Lewis x/a epitopes further supports its utility in evaluating immune-oncology strategies and glycan-targeted therapeutics.

Figure 1. Antiproliferative effect of YGB INT and YGB GW extracts in human colon adenocarcinoma cell lines LS180 and HT-29. (Kawka, Katarzyna, et al., 2019)

Cell Line Information: LS 180

The following table summarizes the key biological, genetic, and culture characteristics of the LS 180 human colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line, compiled from established cell line repositories and published literature.

Our Services

Alfa Cytology offers end-to-end LS 180 xenograft model services designed to meet the rigorous demands of preclinical oncology research. From authenticated cell line procurement and quality-controlled in vitro expansion to standardized tumor implantation, longitudinal monitoring, and multi-parameter endpoint analysis, our team ensures reproducible, publication-ready data to support your IND-enabling studies and mechanism-of-action investigations in colorectal cancer.

Workflow of LS 180 Xenograft Model Construction

The construction of the LS 180 xenograft model follows a standardized, IACUC-approved protocol optimized for consistent tumor take rates and reproducible growth kinetics. The workflow encompasses cell line authentication, in vitro expansion, immunodeficient mouse preparation, subcutaneous implantation, tumor monitoring, and endpoint analysis.

1. Cell Line Authentication and Expansion: LS 180 cells are retrieved from authenticated stocks and expanded under standard culture conditions. Short tandem repeat (STR) profiling and mycoplasma testing are performed to confirm identity and sterility prior to inoculation.
2. Cell Harvesting and Preparation: Cells in logarithmic growth phase (80-90% confluence) are harvested by trypsinization, washed with sterile PBS, and resuspended at a concentration of 1-5 x 10^7 cells/mL. Cell viability is confirmed to exceed 90% using trypan blue exclusion.
3. Cell-Matrigel Mixture Preparation: The cell suspension is mixed 1:1 with cold, growth factor-reduced Matrigel on ice to a final concentration of 5 x 10^6 cells per 100 µL. The mixture is kept on ice and gently pipetted to disperse clumps immediately before injection.
4. Mouse Preparation and Anesthesia: Female or male athymic nude mice (BALB/c nu/nu or equivalent), aged 4-8 weeks, are acclimatized for at least one week. General anesthesia is induced with 1.5% isoflurane/oxygen and maintained at 1% isoflurane/oxygen during the procedure.
5. Subcutaneous Implantation: A 100-200 µL aliquot of the cell-Matrigel suspension is injected subcutaneously into the right flank using a 25-27G needle. The skin is disinfected with 70% ethanol, and the injection is delivered slowly into the subcutaneous space to minimize leakage.
6. Tumor Monitoring and Randomization: Tumor growth is monitored by digital caliper measurement every 2-3 days beginning approximately one week post-implantation. Tumor volume is calculated using the formula V = (L x W^2) x 0.52. Mice are randomized into treatment groups when tumors reach 75-200 mm^3.
7. Treatment Administration and Longitudinal Assessment: Test compounds are administered according to the study design (e.g., intravenous, intraperitoneal, or oral gavage). Body weight, tumor volume, and general health status are recorded at defined intervals throughout the study duration.
8. Endpoint Analysis and Tissue Collection: At study termination, mice are euthanized humanely. Tumors are excised, weighed, and processed for downstream analyses including histopathology (H&E, IHC), biomarker profiling (Western blot, qPCR, flow cytometry), and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic assessments.

Figure 2: Schematic workflow illustrating the derivation and construction of the LS 180 Xenograft Model at Alfa Cytology.

Case Study-LS 180 Xenograft Model Development

In a representative preclinical engagement, LS 180 cells were successfully engrafted in immunodeficient mice with a tumor take rate exceeding 90%. Tumors exhibited consistent exponential growth with a doubling time of approximately 4-5 days, reaching evaluable volumes within 14-21 days post-implantation. Treatment with a candidate therapeutic agent resulted in dose-dependent tumor growth inhibition compared to vehicle controls, with corresponding reductions in tumor weight at study endpoint. Histopathological evaluation confirmed maintenance of adenocarcinoma morphology, while biomarker analysis revealed modulation of target pathway markers consistent with the proposed mechanism of action. Detailed quantitative data, including tumor growth curves, survival analyses, and pharmacodynamic readouts, are available upon request under confidentiality agreements.

Why Choose Alfa Cytology?

Alfa Cytology combines scientific rigor with operational excellence to deliver LS 180 xenograft studies that generate actionable preclinical insights. Our integrated service model ensures quality, reproducibility, and regulatory compliance at every stage.

• Authenticated cell lines with verified STR profiles and mycoplasma-free certification, ensuring model fidelity and data integrity.
• Standardized xenograft protocols optimized for LS 180, yielding high tumor take rates and reproducible growth kinetics across studies.
• Flexible study designs accommodating single-agent, combination, dose-escalation, and pharmacodynamic endpoints tailored to your program needs.
• Comprehensive endpoint capabilities including tumor volume monitoring, body weight tracking, histopathology, IHC, biomarker analysis, and PK/PD correlation.
• Dedicated project management with transparent reporting, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality data packages for IND-enabling and publication purposes.

Contact Us

Ready to advance your colorectal cancer pipeline with a validated LS 180 xenograft model? Contact us today to discuss your study requirements, receive a customized proposal, and partner with Alfa Cytology for reliable, high-quality preclinical oncology research. Our team is standing by to help you design the right experiment and reach out to us with any questions about our LS 180 Xenograft Model Service for Colon Cancer.

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