SW403 Xenograft Model Service for Colon Cancer

SW403 Xenograft Model Service for Colon Cancer provides a robust, KRAS-mutant, APC-truncated platform for preclinical evaluation of novel therapeutics in colorectal adenocarcinoma. At Alfa Cytology, we specialize in building validated, publication-ready SW403 xenograft models with reproducible tumor growth kinetics, enabling our partners to accelerate oncology drug discovery from lead optimization to IND-enabling studies.

Overview of SW403 Xenograft Model for Colon Cancer

SW403 is a human colon adenocarcinoma cell line established from a grade III tumor of the bowel, exhibiting epithelial morphology and robust tumorigenicity in immunodeficient mice. The cell line harbors a KRAS G12V activating mutation and a short-type C-terminal truncation of APC (deletion at codon 1309), resulting in constitutive Wnt/beta-catenin signaling hyperactivation. These molecular features make SW403 a representative model of the canonical colorectal cancer pathway, particularly relevant for studying downstream EGFR-independent proliferation and evaluating tankyrase, PI3K, and combination therapies.

In xenograft settings, SW403 demonstrates consistent subcutaneous tumor formation with 100% take rate in nude mice, typically developing palpable tumors within 21 days following inoculation of 1 x 10^7 cells. The model has been extensively utilized in preclinical studies assessing antitumor efficacy of antibody-drug conjugates, small-molecule inhibitors, and combination regimens, offering reliable translational value for agents targeting Wnt/beta-catenin, DNA damage response, and metabolic pathways in colorectal cancer.

Figure 1. Effect of GNA14 knockdown on cell proliferation in colon cancer cells. (Park, R, et al., 2023)

Cell Line Information: SW403

The following table summarizes the key characteristics and molecular profile of the SW403 cell line derived from authenticated sources and published literature.

Our Services

Alfa Cytology delivers end-to-end SW403 xenograft model services tailored to your preclinical program, from cell line authentication and health monitoring to tumor implantation, randomization, dosing, and comprehensive endpoint analysis. Our experienced oncology team ensures every study is conducted under rigorous quality standards with detailed reporting to support your regulatory and publication goals.

Workflow of SW403 Xenograft Model Construction

Our standardized SW403 xenograft construction workflow integrates cell line qualification, animal preparation, tumor implantation, and longitudinal monitoring to produce high-quality, reproducible preclinical data. The entire process is designed to meet IACUC and AAALAC guidelines with full traceability.

1. Cell Line Authentication & Expansion: SW403 cells are recovered from cryopreservation and authenticated via STR profiling and mycoplasma testing. Cells are expanded under adherent culture conditions to achieve the required cell count for inoculation while maintaining early-passage status to preserve genetic stability.
2. Tumor Cell Preparation: Harvested cells are washed, counted, and resuspended in a 1:1 mixture of serum-free basal medium and Matrigel at a concentration of 1 x 10^7 cells per 100-200 microL. Cell viability is confirmed to exceed 95% prior to injection.
3. Animal Preparation & Acclimation: Immunodeficient nude mice (nu/nu or NOD-SCID) are acclimated for 5-7 days under controlled environmental conditions. Baseline body weights are recorded, and animals are randomized into treatment groups once tumors reach the target volume.
4. Subcutaneous Tumor Implantation: The SW403 cell suspension is injected subcutaneously into the right flank using a sterile 25-gauge needle. Tumor formation is monitored by palpation and electronic caliper measurement twice weekly beginning on day 7 post-inoculation.
5. Tumor Growth Monitoring & Randomization: Once tumors reach 80-150 mm^3, animals are randomized into vehicle and treatment cohorts. Tumor volumes (L x W^2 x 0.5) and body weights are recorded throughout the study to assess antitumor efficacy and general tolerability.
6. Dosing & Endpoint Analysis: Test compounds are administered according to the predefined schedule (e.g., intraperitoneal, intravenous, or oral). At study termination, tumors are excised, weighed, and processed for histopathology, biomarker analysis, or molecular profiling as specified in the study protocol.

Figure 2: Schematic workflow illustrating the derivation and construction of the SW403 Xenograft Model at Alfa Cytology.

Case Study-SW403 Xenograft Model Development

Alfa Cytology has successfully established and validated the SW403 subcutaneous xenograft model across multiple independent studies. Tumor growth curves demonstrate consistent exponential growth with mean doubling times of approximately 5-7 days, and treatment with reference compounds produces dose-dependent tumor growth inhibition consistent with published literature. Full study datasets, including tumor volume trajectories, body weight profiles, and histopathological assessments, are available upon request under confidentiality agreements.

Why Choose Alfa Cytology?

Alfa Cytology combines deep oncology expertise with rigorous operational quality to deliver SW403 xenograft models that meet the highest preclinical standards. Our integrated service model reduces study variability and accelerates your timeline from concept to data package.

• Genetically authenticated SW403 cells with confirmed KRAS G12V and APC truncation status, ensuring model fidelity for Wnt/beta-catenin and RAS-pathway studies.
• Standardized tumor implantation protocols with 100% historical take rates and predictable growth kinetics, minimizing study delays and animal usage.
• Flexible study designs accommodating single-agent, combination, and dose-escalation regimens with customized endpoints including tumor growth inhibition, survival, and biomarker analysis.
• Comprehensive in-house capabilities spanning tumor monitoring, necropsy, histopathology (H&E, IHC), and molecular profiling (Western blot, qPCR, RNA-seq) to generate integrated data packages.
• Dedicated project management with weekly progress updates, real-time data access, and detailed final reports formatted for IND submissions and peer-reviewed publications.

Contact Us

Ready to advance your colon cancer preclinical program with a validated SW403 xenograft model? Contact us today to discuss your study requirements, review our available data packages, and receive a customized proposal tailored to your therapeutic candidate. Reach out to our team and let Alfa Cytology be your trusted partner in translational oncology research.

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