# Developmental Therapeutics Core Shared Resource

> **NIH NIH P30** · NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $147,006

## Abstract

ABSTRACT – DEVELOPMENTAL THERAPEUTICS CORE
The Developmental Therapeutics Core (DTC) supports LCC investigators in the preclinical testing of novel
therapeutics, as well as established agents that are being repurposed, with the primary intent of addressing the
merit of advancing novel agents and strategies for clinical trial evaluation. The DTC provides a range of
preclinical testing services that include: in vitro tumor cell assays; in vivo subcutaneous and orthotopic models
for studying tumor growth, as well as for studying tumor response to therapy; exploratory pharmacokinetics; and
exploratory toxicology. The DTC also assists investigators with drug formulations and initial assessments of drug
stability. A patient-derived xenograft (PDX) repository provides investigators with more than 60 tumor models
representing 12 different types of cancer for in vivo testing of therapies against human tumors. The DTC also
maintains a repository with more than 200 human tumor cell lines, many of which can also be used for xenograft
establishment and therapeutic testing. DTC staff are proficient in all routes of treatment administration and in
small animal surgery, provide consulting and training, and accelerate implementation of studies through simple
modification of blanket IACUC protocols. DTC staff advise faculty on study design, and assist with the
interpretation and presentation of results for manuscripts and grant applications. The DTC coordinates studies
with other LCC shared resources in providing LCC members an integrated and expeditious process for achieving
study objectives.
During the most recent CCSG grant year the core has had a significant impact on LCC research in aiding 52
Cancer Center members, contributing to publications, and generating results that have helped in obtaining an
IND from the FDA for two novel therapeutics that are undergoing clinical trial evaluation in first in human studies.
During the current CCSG term, the DTC has assisted LCC members in the preparation of more than 40 grant
applications that have resulted in $17M in new external support for LCC research. Experimental results obtained
in association with DTC assistance have resulted in 5 patents and 7 applications, and have contributed to the
founding of six start-up companies. During the next period of CCSG support, the DTC will continue its robust
level of PDX research activity, but will also emphasize the use of syngeneic mouse model tumors for studying
immunologic effects of therapy, as well as for testing immunotherapies in animal subjects with an intact, fully
functioning immune system.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9982858
- **Project number:** 5P30CA060553-26
- **Recipient organization:** NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Charles David James
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $147,006
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** — → —

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9982858

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9982858, Developmental Therapeutics Core Shared Resource (5P30CA060553-26). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9982858. Licensed CC0.

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