Patient-Derived Models of Cancer Program
The Patient-Derived Models of Cancer (PDMC) program is developing and characterizing patient-derived models to define the biological mechanisms that drive cancer phenotype and response to perturbations. The program is testing and comparing distinct patient-derived models developed from common patient samples with the objective of improving the understanding of the strengths and limitations of different patient-derived models as representatives of human tumors. Additionally, the program is undertaking systematic studies of patient-derived model parameters related to intrinsic tumor factors and microenvironmental pressures to explore fundamental cancer biology research questions. The goal of the PDMC is to improve patient-derived models for cancer biology research that may inform the development of novel cancer therapies.
The PDMC program consists of specialized U01 research projects. The multidisciplinary teams of these projects include researchers with expertise in sample procurement, patient-derived models, cancer biology, computational science and other disciplines. Additionally, the PDMC has a unique framework for sharing data and best practices to accelerate and standardize efforts related to the use of patient-derived models across the cancer research community.
Some PDMC researchers are generating and credentialing patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models. Additional information about PDX models and the PDX models Minimal Information standard (PDX-MI) is available at PDXFinder (an NCI-supported resource for the cancer research community).
The PDMC was funded through PAR-16-344: Biological Comparisons in Patient-Derived Models of Cancer. Monthly steering committee meetings are co-chaired by Drs. Rosalie Sears and Anita Hjelmeland.