MOLM-13 Xenograft Model Service for AML

The MOLM-13 cell line, established from an acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patient in relapse, provides a highly aggressive and clinically reflective in vivo platform for investigating the molecular drivers of hematological malignancy and evaluating the therapeutic efficacy of novel antileukemic agents. As a premier pre-clinical contract research organization, Alfa Cytology offers an integrated, high-precision MOLM-13 Xenograft Model Service designed to provide reproducible, audit-ready datasets that accelerate your AML drug discovery and development pipeline.

Overview of MOLM-13 Xenograft Model for AML

The MOLM-13 xenograft model represents a critical in vivo translational tool in hematological oncology research, specifically leveraged for studies involving the MLL-AF9 fusion protein. By transplanting human MOLM-13 myeloblastic cells into specialized immunodeficient mouse hosts, this model successfully recapitulates the systemic dissemination, aggressive bone marrow infiltration, and distinct peripheral blood pathophysiological profiles characteristic of refractory human AML.

Biologically, the MOLM-13 model is distinguished by its rapid proliferation kinetics and high sensitivity to FLT3 inhibitors, making it an essential platform for assessing targeted therapies. This system preserves vital human myeloid molecular features, including the expression of the MLL-rearranged fusion transcripts and specific cell-surface antigen profiles that govern leukemic cell survival. Consequently, the MOLM-13 platform is extensively utilized globally to determine the anti-leukemic potency of small-molecule inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies, epigenetic modifiers, and novel immunotherapy candidates within a physiologically relevant in vivo context.

Fig 1. CD123 CAR T cells demonstrate anti-leukemic effects in MOLM-13 AML xenograft mice. (El Khawanky N, et al., 2021)

Cell Line Information: MOLM-13

The MOLM-13 cell line was originally established from the peripheral blood of a patient with AML that had progressed to relapse. These cells proliferate in suspension under standard in vitro culture parameters and are highly prized for their specific genetic rearrangements, providing a reliable proxy for complex hematological studies.

Our Services

Workflow of MOLM-13 Xenograft Model Construction

• Cell Culture & Quality Control: Human MOLM-13 cells are expanded in vitro using optimized nutrient suspension media. Rigorous STR authentication and mycoplasma clearance verification are mandatory prior to harvesting to ensure absolute phenotypic identity and biological purity.
• Host Selection & Acclimatization: Healthy, standardized immunocompromised mice are sourced from validated vendors. Animals undergo a dedicated acclimatization phase to stabilize baseline physiological metrics before study initiation.
• Precision Inoculation: A calibrated suspension of high-viability MOLM-13 cells is prepared in a sterile physiological buffer. The cells are precisely inoculated in vivo into host cohorts via tail vein intravenous routes to facilitate systemic leukemic distribution.
• Longitudinal Growth Tracking: Following inoculation, leukemic progression is systematically monitored using FACS to detect human CD45+ or specific myeloid markers in peripheral blood. Animal weights, physical baselines, and clinical symptoms of leukemic burden are documented routinely.
• Stratification & Dosing: Once peripheral leukemic chimerism reaches a predetermined, statistically optimal range, the mice are randomized into matched experimental cohorts to ensure balanced systemic baselines prior to the initiation of customized therapeutic dosing regimens.

Fig 2. MOLM-13 Xenograft Model Construction Workflow

Case Study - MOLM-13 Xenograft Model Development

A pre-clinical validation study was conducted using the MOLM-13 xenograft model to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of a novel small-molecule inhibitor targeting leukemia-associated survival pathways in AML. Following precision intravenous inoculation of human MOLM-13 cells into immunodeficient mice, the animals demonstrated steady, systemic engraftment and a highly predictable disease progression profile across all study groups. Subjects assigned to the active treatment cohort exhibited a clear, statistically significant reduction in circulating leukemic blasts and prolonged survival compared to the control group, confirming the model's robust sensitivity and predictive reliability for screening targeted AML therapies.

Why Choose Alfa Cytology?

• Oncology Domain Expertise: Specialized knowledge in the cultivation and maintenance of diverse squamous cell carcinoma lineages, providing reliable in vivo platforms for complex AML studies.
• Rigorous Quality Control: Stringent validation at every phase of in vitro and in vivo processing to completely eliminate confounding biological variables.
• Tailored Experimental Design: Flexible study frameworks accommodating custom mouse strain choices, specific dosing routes, and orthotopic or subcutaneous inoculation pathways.
• High-Resolution Deliverables: Every project concludes with a detailed, audit-ready data report providing comprehensive digital caliper metrics and robust statistical validations.

Contact us

Accelerating your AML pipeline requires a pre-clinical partner with the technical proficiency to execute rigorous in vivo workflows flawlessly. If you are looking to advance your novel compound or require specialized pre-clinical testing using our MOLM-13 platform, please reach out to us today to discuss your project layout with our expert scientific team.

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