# Samples and Models Core

> **NIH NIH P01** · DANA-FARBER CANCER INST · 2021 · $132,823

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
The treatment of peripheral T-cell lymphomas (PTCLs) remains a significant challenge. Barriers to more rapid
progress in understanding and treating T-cell lymphomas include the relatively low incidence of each PTCL
subtype, limited clinical trial enrollment and sample availability, heterogeneity across PTCL subtypes, and a lack
of model systems. The overall goal of Core B is to provide essential human and murine reagents for the
performance of each of the projects. Our clinical trial network now includes 11 major academic institutions across
the United States. This network works cooperatively to efficiently accrue early-phase clinical trials investigating
many of the most promising treatment strategies for PTCL. An essential component of these clinical trials is the
collection of adequate biospecimens that are passed through an established pipeline for characterization,
banking, xenografting and other uses. The intention is to ensure that maximum discovery of predictive
biomarkers and mechanisms of resistance are enabled with these precious resources. Results from those
assays are used to guide the next generation of clinical trials in an iterative fashion, either by informing patient
selection through a predictive biomarker or by driving the development of combination strategies that overcome
resistance. At the same time, our patient-derived xenograft (PDX) repository now includes >60 PTCL PDXs.
These models are extensively characterized, banked and distributed to investigators around the world through
an open-source repository. All available PTCL cell lines have also been organized within the Samples and
Models Core, characterized by exome and transcriptome sequencing, copy number analysis, and (in some
cases) genome-wide, CRISPR/Cas9 vulnerability screening. The Core works closely with the Molecular
Pathology and Genomics Core (Core C) to ensure that samples, models and other reagents are fully
characterized. This includes DNA and RNA sequencing, immunophenotyping by traditional methods and by
multi-color immunofluorescence, and STR profiling to establish a cost-effective basis for confirming sample
fidelity. To facilitate the discovery efforts outlined in the Projects, Core B will pursue 2 Aims. Aim 1 is to provide
Projects 1, 2, and 3 with a pipeline of clinically annotated samples from patients with PTCL on clinical trials,
including biopsies pre-treatment, on treatment, and at progression. Aim 2 is to maintain secured databases of
treated patients, patient samples, cell lines, PDXs, and transgenic animals available to Projects 1, 2, and 3. Core
B is committed to the principles of open-source utilization. Samples are collected on banking protocols that allow
for sharing with external investigators and models are available for distribution around the world. By fully
characterizing these resources and then making them available to the research community, Core B markedly
amplifies its effect on PTCL research.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10249208
- **Project number:** 5P01CA233412-03
- **Recipient organization:** DANA-FARBER CANCER INST
- **Principal Investigator:** Steven Horwitz
- **Activity code:** P01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $132,823
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-09-01 → 2024-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10249208

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10249208, Samples and Models Core (5P01CA233412-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10249208. Licensed CC0.

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