Conclusion
We developed the first autochthonous PDX models of MIBC in Iran. Our data suggested that the established MIBC PDX models reserved mostly histopathological characteristics of primary cancer and could provide a new tool to evaluate novel biomarkers, therapeutic targets, and drug combinations.
Methods
Tumors from MIBC patients undergoing radical cystectomy were subcutaneously transplanted into immunodeficient mice. The tumor size was measured by a caliper twice a week for up to five months. After the first growth in mice, they were serially passaged. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and immunohistochemistry (IHC) of 11 markers (Ki67, P63, GATA3, KRT5/6, KRT20, E-cadherin, 34βE12, PD-L1, EGFR, Nectin4, and HER2) were used to evaluate phenotype maintenance of original tumors.
Results
From 10 MIBC patients, two PDX models (P8X20 and P8X26) were successfully established (20% success rate). These models mostly retained primary tumor characteristics including histology, morphology, and molecular nature of the original cancer tissues. IHC analysis showed that the expression level of 7 markers for the model P8X20, and 8 markers for the model P8X26 was exactly similar between the patient tumor and the next generations.