NCI-H1155 Xenograft Model Service for NSCLC

The NCI-H1155 xenograft model represents a well-characterized large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma platform distinguished by high FGL-1 expression, neuromedin B secretion, and a non-lymphangiogenic phenotype, offering a distinct preclinical substrate for investigating neuroendocrine-directed and immune-modulating therapies in NSCLC. Alfa Cytology leverages this authenticated LCNEC lineage—supported by rigorous cell banking, optimized implantation protocols, and multi-modal endpoint analysis—to advance your preclinical pipeline from target validation through compound prioritization.

Overview of NCI-H1155 Xenograft Model for NSCLC

The NCI-H1155 cell line was established in 1983 by A.F. Gazdar and J.D. Minna at the National Cancer Institute from a lymph node metastasis obtained from a 36-year-old Caucasian male with lung carcinoma. Comprehensive molecular profiling has since classified this line as large cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (LCNEC), an aggressive NSCLC subtype characterized by neuroendocrine differentiation, high mitotic activity, and rapid proliferation. NCI-H1155 exhibits robust expression of neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and constitutively secretes neuromedin B (NMB), a bombesin-like peptide that autocrinely stimulates proliferation via gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR) signaling. The line harbors a homozygous RET G691S polymorphism and displays the highest fibrinogen-like protein 1 (FGL-1) expression among all LCNEC lines in the DepMap dataset, a feature linked to LAG-3 immune checkpoint engagement and potential immunotherapy vulnerability. Additionally, DNA methylation profiling classifies NCI-H1155 within the ES3 neuroendocrine epitype, distinguishing it transcriptionally and epigenetically from conventional adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma models.

Fig 1. In the NCI-H1155 xenograft model, oral CYRS381 dose-dependently suppressed tumor growth, with 3 and 6 mg/kg driving profound tumor regression, and potently degraded GSPT1 in tumor tissues. (Park, Jaewoo, et al., 2025)

In immunodeficient hosts, NCI-H1155 demonstrates reliable tumorigenicity with robust engraftment when 1×10⁷ cells are implanted subcutaneously, typically with Matrigel support to standardize tumor take rates. Tumors become palpable within 7–10 days and progress with consistent kinetics. Notably, the model exhibits a non-lymphangiogenic phenotype characterized by very low VEGF-C expression, making it particularly valuable for studying tumor invasion and metastasis in the absence of lymphatic vessel recruitment. The histology retains neuroendocrine features including organoid nesting, palisading, and salt-and-pepper chromatin. These properties render the NCI-H1155 xenograft an indispensable tool for evaluating antibody-drug conjugates, neuroendocrine-targeted agents, and immuno-oncology strategies in a molecularly defined LCNEC context.

Cell Line Information: NCI-H1155

The following table summarizes the essential biological, genetic, and culture characteristics of the NCI-H1155 cell line, providing researchers with a comprehensive reference for experimental design and data interpretation.

Our Services

Alfa Cytology provides a fully integrated NCI-H1155 xenograft service that spans from authenticated cell banking and mycoplasma screening through tumor implantation, longitudinal monitoring, and multi-modal endpoint analysis. Our in-house team applies rigorously standardized protocols—validated across numerous neuroendocrine lung cancer studies—to ensure batch-to-batch consistency in tumor take rates, growth kinetics, and treatment response windows, enabling you to generate publication-quality pharmacodynamic data with confidence.

Workflow of NCI-H1155 Xenograft Model Construction

Construction of the NCI-H1155 xenograft model at Alfa Cytology follows a meticulously defined, IACUC-compliant workflow designed to maximize tumor engraftment efficiency while minimizing inter-animal variability. Each phase is executed under GLP-aligned documentation standards to ensure full traceability.

1. Cell Culture & Pre-Implantation Quality Control: NCI-H1155 cells are expanded from authenticated, low-passage stocks in RPMI-1640 with 5% FBS at 37°C, 5% CO₂. Prior to harvest, each batch undergoes mycoplasma PCR testing, STR profiling confirmation, and viability assessment by trypan blue exclusion (≥95% viability required). Only cells in logarithmic growth phase are selected for implantation.
2. Cell Harvesting & Resuspension: Semi-adherent cultures are gently dissociated using trypsin-EDTA, quenched with complete medium, and pelleted by centrifugation at 125×g for 5–10 minutes. The cell pellet is washed twice with sterile PBS to remove serum residues, then resuspended in ice-cold PBS at a concentration of 1×10⁸ cells/mL (final inoculum: 1×10⁷ cells in 100 μL per injection site).
3. Matrigel Preparation & Cell-Matrix Mixing: High-concentration, phenol-red-free Matrigel is thawed overnight at 4°C and kept on ice. The cell suspension is mixed 1:1 with Matrigel immediately prior to injection to enhance cell retention, promote angiogenesis, and standardize tumor take rates. The mixture is maintained on ice to prevent premature gelation.
4. Subcutaneous Implantation: Inject 200 μL of the cell-Matrigel suspension subcutaneously into the right flank of 6- to 8-week-old athymic nude mice using a 26-gauge needle. Mice are randomized into treatment cohorts once tumors reach a mean volume of 80–120 mm³, typically 10–14 days post-implantation.
5. Tumor Monitoring & Dosing Initiation: Tumor dimensions are measured twice weekly with digital calipers, and volume is calculated using the modified ellipsoid formula: (width)² × length / 2. Body weights are recorded concurrently to monitor general health. Dosing commences when tumors reach the predetermined starting volume, with compound administration routes (PO, IP, IV, SC) tailored to the pharmacological properties of each test agent.
6. Endpoint Analysis & Tissue Procurement: Studies conclude at a humane endpoint (typically 2,000 mm³ tumor volume or 21–28 days post-treatment). At necropsy, tumors are excised, weighed, and photographed. Tissues are allocated for histopathology (H&E), immunohistochemistry (synaptophysin, chromogranin A, NSE, Ki-67, CD31, TUNEL), and molecular analysis (Western blot, qPCR, RNA-seq) based on the study protocol. Serum is collected for NMB quantification where applicable.

Fig 2. NCI-H1155 xenograft model construction workflow.

Case Study

In a recent preclinical engagement, Alfa Cytology established the NCI-H1155 subcutaneous xenograft model to evaluate the anti-tumor efficacy of a novel antibody-drug conjugate targeting a neuroendocrine-associated surface antigen in LCNEC. Following successful engraftment in female athymic nude mice, animals were randomized into vehicle control and treatment cohorts (n = 8–10 per group) once tumors reached an average volume of approximately 100 mm³. The test compound was administered via intravenous injection once every three weeks at escalating dose levels. Longitudinal tumor monitoring revealed dose-dependent tumor growth inhibition compared to vehicle controls, with the highest dose cohort demonstrating sustained suppression throughout the treatment window. At study termination, excised tumors underwent comprehensive histopathological and biomarker characterization, including synaptophysin and chromogranin A staining to confirm neuroendocrine lineage retention, Ki-67 quantification to assess proliferative inhibition, and CD31 immunostaining to evaluate anti-angiogenic effects. Serum neuromedin B levels were quantified as a surrogate pharmacodynamic marker. Body weight trajectories remained stable across all cohorts, indicating an acceptable therapeutic index under the tested regimen. Detailed pharmacodynamic datasets, including tumor growth curves, waterfall plots, and immunohistochemistry images, are available for review under a mutual confidentiality agreement.

Why Choose Alfa Cytology?

Partnering with Alfa Cytology for your NCI-H1155 xenograft program means gaining access to a technically mature platform backed by rigorous quality assurance, scientific expertise, and operational flexibility. Our service model is architected to accelerate your preclinical decision-making while maintaining the highest standards of data integrity.

• Authenticated, low-passage NCI-H1155 cell banks with quarterly STR verification and mycoplasma-negative certification ensure genetic fidelity across every study.
• Standardized implantation protocols refined through extensive LCNEC procedures yield consistent tumor engraftment and predictable growth kinetics, reducing cohort size requirements.
• Flexible study designs accommodate single-agent, combination, dose-escalation, and ADC evaluation arms tailored to your compound profile.
• In-house histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and molecular analysis capabilities—including synaptophysin, chromogranin A, NSE, Ki-67, and CD31—eliminate vendor hand-off delays and preserve sample chain-of-custody.
• Real-time data access through a secure client portal allows you to monitor tumor measurements, body weights, and study milestones as they are recorded.
• Dedicated project scientists provide weekly progress updates, interim data reviews, and adaptive protocol modifications to keep your timeline on track.

Contact Us

Whether you are advancing a first-in-class neuroendocrine-targeted ADC, exploring immuno-oncology strategies in LCNEC, or validating biomarker hypotheses in a non-lymphangiogenic tumor context, Alfa Cytology stands ready to support your preclinical objectives with a proven NCI-H1155 xenograft platform. Reach out to our scientific team today to discuss your study design, receive a customized proposal, or schedule a virtual consultation. We look forward to partnering with you to transform your therapeutic concept into robust preclinical evidence.

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