MGC803 Xenograft Model Service for Gastric Cancer

The MGC803 xenograft model serves as a robust preclinical platform for evaluating therapeutic candidates against gastric mucinous adenocarcinoma, offering predictable tumor kinetics and well-characterized molecular features that support pharmacodynamic and efficacy studies. Alfa Cytology delivers comprehensive MGC803 xenograft model services tailored to your discovery pipeline---from study design and in-life execution to endpoint analysis and data reporting---enabling efficient translation of preclinical insights into development decisions.
Overview of MGC803 Xenograft Model for Gastric Cancer
The MGC803 cell line was originally established in 1980 from a poorly differentiated gastric mucinous adenocarcinoma resected from a 53-year-old male patient. In xenograft applications, MGC803 cells reliably form subcutaneous tumors in immunocompromised murine hosts, exhibiting rapid proliferation with a reported doubling time of approximately 22.5 hours and consistent histopathological features recapitulating human gastric adenocarcinoma morphology. The model has been extensively utilized to evaluate drug efficacy, stem cell dynamics, and microenvironmental interactions, including responses to acidified bile acid exposure and telomerase modulation.
MGC803 xenografts demonstrate robust tumorigenicity across a range of inoculum densities, with studies showing tumor formation from as few as 1x10^4 cells in spheroid-enriched subpopulations. Tumor growth curves typically display exponential volume expansion within two to four weeks post-implantation, supporting both short-term pharmacodynamic assessments and longer-term therapeutic intervention studies. Histologically, established xenografts retain epithelial-like architecture with prominent nucleoli and mucinous differentiation, making this model particularly relevant for preclinical screening of gastric cancer-targeted agents.
Figure 1. Characteristic expression of MTH1 in human gastric cancer tissues and ten digestive tract cancer cell lines. (Zhou, Wenjuan, et al., 2019)
Cell Line Information: MGC803
MGC803 is a human gastric cancer cell line with the following documented characteristics:
| Attribute |
Details |
| Cell Line Name |
MGC-803 (MGC803; MGc80-3) |
| RRID |
CVCL_5334 |
| Disease |
Gastric mucinous adenocarcinoma (poorly differentiated) |
| Sex of Donor |
Male |
| Age at Sampling |
53 years |
| Year of Establishment |
1980 |
| Species of Origin |
Homo sapiens (Human) |
| Tissue Source |
Stomach (gastric tissue) |
| Cell Morphology |
Epithelial-like |
| Growth Pattern |
Adherent monolayer |
| Doubling Time |
~22.5 hours |
| Culture Medium |
RPMI-1640 or DMEM (high glucose) supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) |
| Culture Conditions |
37 degrees C, 5% CO2, 95% air, humidity 70-80% |
| Passage Ratio |
1:2 to 1:3 every 2-3 days |
| Freeze Medium |
90% FBS + 10% DMSO, or serum-free cryopreservation medium |
| Chromosome Number |
58-61 |
| Mycoplasma Status |
Negative (tested by culture method) |
| Authentication Status |
STR profiled; registered with ICLAC as potentially contaminated/heuristic hybrid lineage |
| Key Molecular Features |
c-Myc activation; hTERT expression; responsive to ROS-inducing agents and EMT modulation |
| Common Applications |
Xenograft tumor formation, drug efficacy screening, cancer stem cell studies, acidified bile acid resistance modeling |
Our Services
Alfa Cytology offers end-to-end MGC803 xenograft model services designed to accelerate your preclinical oncology programs. Our integrated platform encompasses study design consultation, cell line authentication and expansion, animal model construction, in-life monitoring, and comprehensive endpoint analysis---including tumor growth kinetics, body weight tracking, histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and biomarker profiling. Every study is executed under rigorous quality standards with documented chain-of-custody and data integrity protocols, ensuring reproducible results that withstand regulatory scrutiny.
Workflow of MGC803 Xenograft Model Construction
The construction of MGC803 xenograft models at Alfa Cytology follows a standardized, quality-controlled workflow designed to ensure consistent tumor take rates, predictable growth kinetics, and reproducible study outcomes. Each phase is executed under IACUC-approved protocols with documented environmental monitoring and operator training.
- Cell Line Preparation and Authentication: MGC803 cells are revived from authenticated master cell banks and expanded under aseptic conditions. Prior to inoculation, cells undergo mycoplasma testing, STR profiling verification, and viability assessment by trypan blue exclusion (>95% viability required).
- Host Selection and Acclimatization: Immunocompromised mice (typically BALB/c nude or NOD-SCID) are selected based on study objectives and acclimatized for 5-7 days under controlled environmental conditions (22+/-2 degrees C, 12-hour light/dark cycle, ad libitum access to food and water).
- Tumor Cell Inoculation: Exponentially growing MGC803 cells are harvested, washed, and resuspended in serum-free medium mixed with Matrigel at a 1:1 ratio. A defined cell suspension (typically 1x10^6 to 5x10^6 cells in 100-200 microL) is injected subcutaneously into the flank of each mouse using a sterile 25-gauge needle.
- Tumor Monitoring and Randomization: Tumor onset is monitored by palpation twice weekly. Once tumors reach 80-150 mm^3, animals are randomized into treatment groups based on tumor volume and body weight using stratified randomization algorithms to minimize inter-group variance.
- Therapeutic Intervention and In-Life Assessment: Test articles are administered according to the study design (route, frequency, and duration). Throughout the study, tumor dimensions are measured by caliper twice weekly, and body weights are recorded to monitor general health and treatment tolerability.
- Endpoint Analysis and Data Reporting: At study termination, tumors are excised, weighed, and processed for downstream analysis. Tissue samples are fixed in formalin for H&E and IHC staining, snap-frozen for molecular analysis, or dissociated for flow cytometry. A comprehensive study report is delivered with statistical analysis and raw data packages.
Figure 2: Schematic workflow illustrating the derivation and construction of the MGC803 Xenograft Model at Alfa Cytology.
Case Study-MGC803 Xenograft Model Development
In a representative preclinical engagement, MGC803 cells were expanded under GMP-adherent culture conditions and inoculated subcutaneously into BALB/c nude mice to establish a gastric cancer xenograft model for evaluating a novel therapeutic candidate. Tumors were measurable in 100% of inoculated animals within 10-14 days, with mean tumor volumes reaching the target randomization window of 100-120 mm^3 by Day 18. Following stratified randomization, mice received the investigational compound or vehicle control according to the predefined dosing regimen. Tumor growth inhibition was observed in the treatment cohort relative to the control group, with corresponding changes in tumor weight and histopathological markers at study endpoint. These results demonstrate the utility of the MGC803 xenograft platform for generating pharmacodynamic and efficacy data in a clinically relevant gastric cancer context. Data packages including tumor growth curves, body weight trajectories, and histology slides were provided to the sponsor for regulatory submission and development decision-making.

Why Choose Alfa Cytology?
Alfa Cytology combines scientific rigor with operational flexibility to deliver MGC803 xenograft studies that meet the highest standards of preclinical research. Our platform is built on authenticated cell banks, experienced surgical and technical teams, and integrated analytical capabilities that streamline your path from compound nomination to IND-enabling data.
- Authenticated MGC803 master and working cell banks with documented STR profiles and mycoplasma-negative certification ensure genetic integrity across every study.
- Standardized xenograft construction protocols with >95% tumor take rates and predictable growth kinetics minimize study variability and reduce animal usage.
- Integrated in-life and endpoint analytics---including caliper-based tumor monitoring, digital pathology, IHC, and biomarker quantification---deliver comprehensive data packages from a single provider.
- Flexible study designs accommodate single-agent, combination, dose-response, and pharmacodynamic assessments with rapid protocol amendment turnaround.
- All studies are conducted under IACUC-approved protocols with full regulatory compliance, transparent data reporting, and dedicated project management support.
Contact Us
Whether you are advancing a targeted therapeutic, testing a combination regimen, or exploring novel mechanisms of gastric cancer biology, Alfa Cytology's MGC803 xenograft model service provides the preclinical foundation you need. Please reach out to us today via our inquiry form or email to learn more about our MGC803 Xenograft Model services.
Reference
- Zhou, Wenjuan, et al. "Potent and specific MTH1 inhibitors targeting gastric cancer." Cell death & disease 10.6 (2019): 434.
For research use only. Not intended for any clinical use.