SW-13 Xenograft Model Service for Adrenal Cancer

The SW-13 Xenograft Model Service for Adrenal Cancer provides a well-established, preclinical platform for evaluating novel therapeutic candidates against adrenocortical carcinoma in vivo. Alfa Cytology leverages decades of expertise in oncology model development to deliver reproducible, high-quality SW-13 xenograft studies tailored to your drug discovery and translational research programs.

Overview of SW-13 Xenograft Model for Adrenal Cancer

The SW-13 cell line was originally established in 1973 from a surgically resected small-cell carcinoma of the adrenal cortex of a 55-year-old female patient. While its exact adrenocortical origin has been debated---given that SW-13 cells do not produce steroids and may represent a small cell lung cancer metastasis to the adrenal gland---the line has been extensively utilized in preclinical adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) research for decades. SW-13 xenografts have demonstrated robust tumorigenicity in immunodeficient mice, making them a practical and widely accessible model for in vivo pharmacology studies, including evaluations of mitotane, nab-paclitaxel, VEGF receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors, and liposomal chemotherapy regimens. The model has also been instrumental in cancer stem cell enrichment studies under cyclophosphamide selective pressure, revealing elevated expression of CXCR4 and ABCG2 in treated xenografts.

In contemporary preclinical ACC research, SW-13 remains one of the most historically significant cell line-derived xenograft (CDX) models alongside NCI-H295R. Subcutaneous injection of SW-13 cells (typically 5x10⁶ to 1x10⁷ cells) into BALB/c nude or NOD/SCID mice yields palpable tumors within 1--2 weeks, with tumor volumes reaching 1,000--1,500 mm³ within 3--4 weeks under standard conditions. The model supports both standard efficacy endpoints (tumor growth inhibition, survival analysis) and advanced translational readouts including immunohistochemistry for Ki67 and TUNEL apoptosis staining, making it suitable for high-throughput drug screening and combination therapy optimization.

Figure 1. Overall correlation between gene expression in the cancer cell lines evaluated at the NCI and CU and their corresponding PDXs. (Arakawa, Y, et al., 2024)

Cell Line Information: SW-13

The following table summarizes the key characteristics and technical specifications of the SW-13 cell line for preclinical xenograft applications:

Our Services

Alfa Cytology is a leading preclinical CRO specializing in the development, validation, and execution of oncology xenograft models. Our SW-13 Xenograft Model Service for Adrenal Cancer is backed by rigorous quality control, standardized protocols, and a multidisciplinary team of scientists with deep expertise in adrenocortical carcinoma biology. From model establishment and in-life monitoring to comprehensive endpoint analysis---including tumor volume tracking, body weight assessment, histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and biomarker quantification---we provide end-to-end support to accelerate your preclinical drug development pipeline. Whether you require a standard subcutaneous xenograft or a customized study design with combination dosing schedules, biomarker-driven patient stratification, or pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic integration, Alfa Cytology delivers reliable, reproducible data to inform your go/no-go decisions.

Workflow of SW-13 Xenograft Model Construction

Alfa Cytology follows a systematic, GLP-compliant workflow for SW-13 xenograft model construction, ensuring consistency, reproducibility, and translational relevance across all studies. The process encompasses cell line authentication, animal preparation, tumor inoculation, in-life monitoring, and comprehensive endpoint analysis.

1. Cell Line Authentication and Preparation: SW-13 cells are sourced from authenticated repositories (ATCC CCL-105) and verified for identity via STR profiling. Cells are maintained in Leibovitz-15 medium, harvested at logarithmic growth phase, and resuspended in serum-free medium or Matrigel/PBS mixture at the designated concentration.
2. Animal Selection and Acclimation: Immunodeficient mice (BALB/c nude or NOD/SCID, 4--6 weeks old) are quarantined and acclimated for 5--7 days under pathogen-free conditions. Health status is verified prior to study initiation.
3. Subcutaneous Tumor Inoculation: SW-13 cells (5x10⁶--1x10⁷ cells in 100--200 uL) are injected subcutaneously into the right flank of each mouse using a sterile syringe. Tumor cell viability is confirmed by trypan blue exclusion immediately prior to injection.
4. Tumor Monitoring and Randomization: Tumors are monitored twice weekly by caliper measurement. Once tumors reach 50--100 mm³, mice are randomized into treatment groups based on tumor volume and body weight to minimize inter-group variability.
5. Treatment Administration: Test compounds are administered according to the study protocol (oral gavage, intraperitoneal, or intravenous). Vehicle controls and positive controls (e.g., mitotane or nab-paclitaxel) are included for benchmark comparison.
6. In-Life Assessments: Body weight, tumor volume, and clinical signs are recorded throughout the study. Tumor volume is calculated using the formula: (Length x Width²) / 2. Dosing adjustments are made based on toxicity thresholds.
7. Endpoint Analysis and Tissue Collection: At study termination, tumors are excised, weighed, and processed for histopathology (H&E), immunohistochemistry (Ki67, TUNEL), and molecular analysis (qPCR, Western blot). Serum and plasma samples are collected for pharmacokinetic profiling.
8. Data Analysis and Reporting: All data are analyzed using validated statistical software. Tumor growth inhibition (TGI%), Kaplan-Meier survival curves, and biomarker correlations are reported in a comprehensive study report with raw data appendices.

Figure 2. SW-13 xenograft model construction workflow.

Case Study-SW-13 Xenograft Model Development

Alfa Cytology has successfully established and validated the SW-13 xenograft model as part of our expanding adrenocortical carcinoma preclinical portfolio. In a representative internal validation study, SW-13 cells were inoculated subcutaneously into BALB/c nude mice, achieving a tumor take rate exceeding 90% with consistent tumor growth kinetics across multiple independent cohorts. The model demonstrated dose-dependent responses to standard-of-care and investigational agents, with robust separation between vehicle-treated and active-treatment groups. Histopathological analysis confirmed small-cell carcinoma morphology with high proliferative indices, while immunohistochemical staining revealed characteristic marker profiles consistent with published literature. Detailed quantitative data---including tumor growth curves, body weight trajectories, pharmacokinetic parameters, and biomarker expression levels---are available upon request under confidentiality agreements. Please contact our scientific team to discuss specific data packages and customized study designs.

Why Choose Alfa Cytology?

Alfa Cytology combines scientific rigor with operational excellence to deliver preclinical xenograft studies that meet the highest standards of quality and reproducibility. Our SW-13 Xenograft Model Service for Adrenal Cancer is designed to provide actionable insights for your drug development programs.

• Authenticated Cell Lines: Verified STR profiles and mycoplasma-free certification ensure model integrity from the outset.
• Standardized Protocols: GLP-aligned protocols minimize batch-to-batch variability and enhance cross-study comparability.
• Specialized Expertise: Experienced in vivo oncology team with deep knowledge of rare tumor models, including adrenocortical carcinoma.
• Flexible Study Designs: Accommodating single-agent, combination, dose-escalation, and biomarker-driven stratification approaches.
• Comprehensive Endpoints: Tumor volume tracking, survival analysis, histopathology, IHC, and molecular profiling.
• Rapid Initiation: Dedicated project management and transparent communication throughout the study lifecycle.
• Competitive Value: Cost-effective pricing without compromising data quality or regulatory compliance.

Contact Us

Ready to advance your adrenocortical carcinoma therapeutic pipeline with a validated SW-13 xenograft model? Contact us today to discuss your study requirements, receive a customized proposal, and explore how Alfa Cytology can accelerate your preclinical research. Reach out to us via email or through our website inquiry form, and let Alfa Cytology accelerate your preclinical journey from concept to candidate.

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