Generation of Orthotopic Patient-Derived Xenografts in Humanized Mice for Evaluation of Emerging Targeted Therapies and Immunotherapy Combinations for Melanoma

Chi Yan, Caroline A. Nebhan, Nabil Saleh, Rebecca Shattuck-Brandt, Sheau Chiann Chen, Gregory D. Ayers, Vivian Weiss, Ann Richmond, Anna E. Vilgelm

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Current methodologies for developing PDX in humanized mice in preclinical trials with immune-based therapies are limited by GVHD. Here, we compared two approaches for establishing PDX tumors in humanized mice: (1) PDX are first established in immune-deficient mice; or (2) PDX are initially established in humanized mice; then established PDX are transplanted to a larger cohort of humanized mice for preclinical trials. With the first approach, there was rapid wasting of PDX-bearing humanized mice with high levels of activated T cells in the circulation and organs, indicating immune-mediated toxicity. In contrast, with the second approach, toxicity was less of an issue and long-term human melanoma tumor growth and maintenance of human chimerism was achieved. Preclinical trials from the second approach revealed that rigosertib, but not anti-PD-1, increased CD8/CD4 T cell ratios in spleen and blood and inhibited PDX tumor growth. Resistance to anti-PD-1 was associated with PDX tumors established from tumors with limited CD8+ T cell content. Our findings suggest that it is essential to carefully manage immune editing by first establishing PDX tumors in humanized mice before expanding PDX tumors into a larger cohort of humanized mice to evaluate therapy response.

Original languageEnglish
Article number3695
JournalCancers
Volume15
Issue number14
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2023

Keywords

  • humanized mice
  • immunotherapy
  • melanoma
  • patient-derived xenograft
  • targeted therapy

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