YCC-2 Xenograft Model Service for Gastric Cancer

The YCC-2 xenograft model offers a robust, well-characterized platform for preclinical gastric cancer research, enabling reliable evaluation of therapeutic efficacy, tumor growth kinetics, and molecular response in vivo. Alfa Cytology provides comprehensive, GLP-compliant YCC-2 xenograft model services tailored to accelerate your drug discovery pipeline from lead optimization to IND-enabling studies.

Overview of YCC-2 Xenograft Model for Gastric Cancer

The YCC-2 cell line was established from malignant ascites of a 73-year-old Korean male patient diagnosed with gastric signet ring cell adenocarcinoma. As one of the well-documented Yonsei Cancer Center (YCC) gastric cancer cell lines, YCC-2 harbors wild-type p53 status and carries a KRAS G to A mutation, making it particularly valuable for studying EGFR-targeted therapies and RAS pathway biology in gastric cancer. The cell line exhibits a doubling time of approximately 43 hours and demonstrates robust tumorigenicity in immunodeficient mice, forming subcutaneous xenografts that recapitulate key features of human gastric adenocarcinoma. YCC-2 has been extensively utilized in preclinical studies evaluating cetuximab efficacy, autophagy modulation, and gamma-secretase inhibition, demonstrating its versatility as a translational research tool.

Xenograft models derived from YCC-2 cells provide a physiologically relevant tumor microenvironment that supports angiogenesis, stromal interactions, and three-dimensional tumor architecture---features unattainable in conventional 2D cultures. The model is compatible with both subcutaneous and orthotopic implantation strategies, allowing researchers to assess not only primary tumor growth inhibition but also peritoneal dissemination patterns relevant to gastric cancer metastasis. YCC-2's molecular profile, including high galectin-1 expression and sensitivity to c-MET inhibitors, further positions this model as an essential platform for biomarker-driven drug development and personalized medicine approaches in gastric cancer.

Figure 1. The quantitation of tube formation of HLECs. (Pak, Kyung Ho, et al., 2019)

Cell Line Information: YCC-2

YCC-2 is a human gastric cancer cell line derived from metastatic ascites, extensively characterized through genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic profiling. The following table summarizes the key biological and molecular characteristics of the YCC-2 cell line relevant to xenograft model development.

Our Services

Alfa Cytology leverages the YCC-2 xenograft model to deliver high-quality, reproducible preclinical data for your gastric cancer therapeutic programs. Our integrated service platform encompasses cell line authentication, tumor implantation, randomization, dosing, and comprehensive endpoint analysis---including tumor volume monitoring, body weight assessment, and histopathological evaluation. With experienced study directors and stringent quality control protocols, we ensure that every YCC-2 xenograft study generates reliable, audit-ready data to support your regulatory submissions and publication goals.

Workflow of YCC-2 Xenograft Model Construction

Alfa Cytology follows a standardized, quality-controlled workflow to construct YCC-2 xenograft models, ensuring consistent tumor take rates, predictable growth kinetics, and reliable therapeutic response data. Each step is executed under GLP-compliant conditions with full traceability.

1. Cell Line Authentication and Expansion: YCC-2 cells are authenticated via STR profiling and confirmed free of mycoplasma contamination. Cells are expanded under standardized culture conditions (RPMI-1640 with 10% FBS, 37 degrees C, 5% CO2) to generate a sufficient working bank for implantation.
2. Mouse Strain Selection and Preparation: Six- to eight-week-old female BALB/c nude mice or NOD/SCID mice are acclimatized for one week. Animals are randomized by body weight prior to tumor cell inoculation to minimize inter-group variability.
3. Tumor Cell Inoculation: YCC-2 cells are harvested at logarithmic growth phase, washed, and resuspended in serum-free medium mixed with Matrigel (1:1 ratio). A total of 1x10^6 cells in 100-200 uL are injected subcutaneously into the right flank of each mouse.
4. Tumor Monitoring and Randomization: Tumor growth is monitored twice weekly using digital calipers. Once tumors reach an average volume of 80-150 mm3, mice are randomized into treatment and vehicle control groups (n=8-10 per group) based on tumor size and body weight.
5. Treatment Administration and In-Life Monitoring: Test compounds are administered via the designated route (IV, IP, PO, or SC) according to the study protocol. Body weight, tumor dimensions, and clinical observations are recorded at defined intervals throughout the study duration (typically 3-6 weeks).
6. Endpoint Analysis and Sample Collection: At study termination, tumors are excised, weighed, and photographed. Tumor growth inhibition (TGI) is calculated, and tissue samples are preserved for histopathology (H&E, IHC), biomarker analysis, and pharmacokinetic correlation.

Figure 2. YCC-2 xenograft model construction workflow.

Case Study-YCC-2 Xenograft Model Development

In a representative YCC-2 xenograft development study, subcutaneous implantation of 1x10^6 cells in BALB/c nude mice resulted in 100% tumor take rate with palpable tumors appearing within 7-10 days post-inoculation. Tumors exhibited exponential growth, reaching a mean volume of approximately 800-1,200 mm3 by Day 28, with consistent histological features of moderately differentiated gastric adenocarcinoma. Treatment with a reference EGFR inhibitor demonstrated significant tumor growth inhibition compared to vehicle control, validating the model's sensitivity to targeted therapies. This case study exemplifies the robust performance of the YCC-2 xenograft platform and its suitability for evaluating novel therapeutic candidates in gastric cancer drug development.

Why Choose Alfa Cytology?

Alfa Cytology is your trusted partner for preclinical gastric cancer research, combining scientific expertise with operational excellence to deliver actionable data for your drug development programs.

• Extensive experience with YCC-2 and 49+ gastric cancer cell lines, enabling rapid model selection and validation.
• GLP-compliant study conduct with full chain-of-custody documentation and audit-ready data packages.
• Customizable study designs including subcutaneous, orthotopic, and metastatic models to match your therapeutic hypothesis.
• Integrated endpoint analysis encompassing tumor imaging, histopathology, biomarker profiling, and pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic correlation.
• Dedicated project management with weekly progress updates and transparent communication throughout the study lifecycle.
• Competitive timelines with standard YCC-2 xenograft studies initiated within 2-3 weeks of contract execution.

Contact Us

Ready to accelerate your gastric cancer drug development program with the YCC-2 xenograft model? Contact us today to discuss your study requirements, receive a customized proposal, and partner with Alfa Cytology for reliable, high-quality preclinical data. Reach out to our scientific team via email or phone, and let us help you design the optimal YCC-2 xenograft study to advance your therapeutic candidates toward clinical success. Please reach out to us today via our inquiry form or email to learn more about our YCC-2 Xenograft Model services.

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