NCI-N87 Xenograft Model Service for Gastric Cancer

The NCI-N87 xenograft model is a well-established, HER2-positive gastric cancer platform widely used in preclinical oncology research to evaluate therapeutic efficacy, drug resistance mechanisms, and combination treatment strategies. At Alfa Cytology, we provide a comprehensive NCI-N87 Xenograft Model Service for Gastric Cancer, delivering robust, reproducible tumor models with integrated pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic endpoint analysis to accelerate your preclinical drug development pipeline.

Overview of NCI-N87 Xenograft Model for Gastric Cancer

The NCI-N87 cell line was originally derived from a liver metastasis of a poorly differentiated gastric adenocarcinoma in a male patient. It is classified as an intestinal-type gastric cancer according to the Lauren classification and exhibits epithelial morphology with adherent growth properties. The cell line is characterized by high-level amplification and overexpression of the ERBB2 (HER2) oncogene, making it one of the most clinically relevant HER2-positive gastric cancer models available for preclinical research. NCI-N87 also harbors mutations in TP53 and SMAD4 deletion, contributing to its aggressive tumorigenic phenotype and utility in studying tumor suppressor pathway dysregulation.

In vivo, NCI-N87 cells reliably form subcutaneous tumors in immunocompromised mouse strains such as nude (athymic) and NOD/SCID mice, with tumor take rates typically exceeding 90%. The resulting xenografts maintain key histological and molecular features of the parental cell line, including HER2 overexpression, CEA and TAG-72 surface glycoprotein expression, and sensitivity to established anti-HER2 therapies such as trastuzumab and pertuzumab. This model has been extensively validated for evaluating antibody-drug conjugates (e.g., trastuzumab deruxtecan), combination chemotherapy regimens (e.g., capecitabine/oxaliplatin), and novel targeted agents, providing a robust translational bridge from in vitro findings to in vivo efficacy assessment.

Figure 1. Single dose (SD) and fractionated dose (FD) of combination therapy were injected into NCI-N87 xenograft-bearing mice, and penetration of mAb was evaluated from the vessel, near the edge, and total accumulation across the tumor. (Zaheer, Javeria, et al., 2019)

Cell Line Information: NCI-N87

NCI-N87 (also designated N87, N-87, or NCIN87) is a human gastric adenocarcinoma cell line with well-characterized genetic, phenotypic, and functional properties. The following table summarizes essential cell line characteristics relevant to xenograft model development and preclinical application.

Our Services

Alfa Cytology leverages deep expertise in gastric cancer preclinical modeling to deliver the NCI-N87 Xenograft Model Service with rigorous quality control, standardized protocols, and customizable study designs. Our service integrates tumor implantation, randomized group assignment, dosing administration, and comprehensive endpoint analysis to provide actionable data that supports your IND-enabling studies and therapeutic development decisions.

Workflow of NCI-N87 Xenograft Model Construction

The construction of the NCI-N87 xenograft model follows a standardized, multi-step workflow designed to ensure high tumor engraftment rates, consistent growth kinetics, and reliable therapeutic response data. Each phase is executed under strict quality assurance protocols with documented traceability.

1. Cell Preparation and Quality Control: NCI-N87 cells are expanded from authenticated, low-passage master stocks under GMP-compliant culture conditions. Prior to inoculation, cells undergo viability assessment (typically >95% viability by trypan blue exclusion), mycoplasma PCR testing, and STR confirmation to ensure genetic integrity.
2. Mouse Strain Selection and Acclimation: Immunocompromised mice (commonly 6-8-week-old female athymic nude or NOD/SCID mice) are quarantined and acclimated for 5-7 days. Health status is verified before enrollment to minimize inter-animal variability.
3. Tumor Cell Inoculation: NCI-N87 cells are harvested, washed, and resuspended in serum-free medium mixed with Matrigel (1:1 ratio) to enhance initial engraftment. A standardized inoculum (typically 5x10^6 to 1x10^7 cells in 100-200 microL) is injected subcutaneously into the right flank of each mouse using aseptic technique.
4. Tumor Growth Monitoring and Randomization: Tumors are palpated twice weekly. Once tumors reach a target volume (typically 100-150 mm^3), mice are randomized into treatment groups (n=8-10 per group) using stratified randomization based on tumor volume to ensure baseline equivalence across cohorts.
5. Therapeutic Intervention and Administration: Test compounds, vehicle controls, or reference standards (e.g., trastuzumab, 5-FU/cisplatin) are administered according to the study protocol via the designated route (intravenous, intraperitoneal, or oral gavage). Dosing schedules and durations are customized based on compound pharmacology and client objectives.
6. Longitudinal Tumor and Body Weight Assessment: Tumor dimensions are measured twice weekly using digital calipers, and volumes are calculated using the modified ellipsoid formula (V = 0.5 x length x width^2). Body weights are recorded concurrently to monitor treatment-related toxicity and general health status.
7. Endpoint Analysis and Sample Collection: At study termination, tumors are excised, weighed, and processed for downstream analysis. Standard endpoints include tumor growth inhibition (TGI), tumor regression rate, histopathology (H&E staining), immunohistochemistry (Ki-67, HER2, cleaved caspase-3), and optional biomarker analysis (plasma cytokines, tumor pharmacokinetics).
8. Data Compilation and Reporting: All raw data are compiled into a comprehensive study report including tumor growth curves, body weight trajectories, statistical analysis (one-way ANOVA with Dunnett's post-hoc test), and representative histopathological images. Reports are delivered in a format suitable for regulatory submission and internal decision-making.

Figure 2: Schematic workflow illustrating the derivation and construction of the NCI-N87 Xenograft Model at Alfa Cytology.

Case Study-NCI-N87 Xenograft Model Development

In a representative preclinical engagement, NCI-N87 cells were successfully engrafted in athymic nude mice with a tumor take rate exceeding 95% and median time to reach 150 mm^3 of approximately 14 days post-inoculation. Mice were randomized into vehicle control, reference therapy (trastuzumab monotherapy), and experimental combination groups. The reference arm demonstrated significant tumor growth inhibition consistent with published literature, validating model sensitivity to HER2-directed agents. The experimental combination arm showed enhanced anti-tumor activity compared to monotherapy, with acceptable tolerability profiles as indicated by stable body weights. Histopathological analysis confirmed reduced Ki-67 proliferation index and increased apoptotic markers in treated tumors. These results illustrate the robustness of the NCI-N87 xenograft platform for evaluating novel therapeutic strategies in HER2-positive gastric cancer. Specific quantitative data and compound identities are available upon request under confidentiality agreements.

Why Choose Alfa Cytology?

Alfa Cytology combines scientific rigor with operational flexibility to deliver NCI-N87 xenograft studies that meet the highest standards of preclinical research. Our integrated service model ensures seamless execution from study design to final reporting.

• Validated, authenticated NCI-N87 cell stocks with documented STR profiles and mycoplasma-free certification to ensure model fidelity.
• Standardized xenograft protocols with proven tumor take rates and consistent growth kinetics, reducing study variability and accelerating timelines.
• Customizable study designs including single-agent, combination, dose-escalation, and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic integration studies.
• Comprehensive endpoint analysis encompassing tumor volume monitoring, body weight assessment, histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and biomarker quantification.
• Dedicated project management with real-time data access, transparent communication, and milestone-driven reporting to keep your program on track.
• Competitive pricing and flexible scheduling without compromising on quality, enabling efficient resource allocation for early-stage and late-stage preclinical programs.

Contact Us

Ready to advance your gastric cancer therapeutic program with a validated NCI-N87 xenograft model? Please reach out to us today via our inquiry form or email to learn more about our NCI-N87 Xenograft Model services.

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