# Therapeutic insights through patient derived leukemia xenografts

> **NIH NIH R50** · CINCINNATI CHILDRENS HOSP MED CTR · 2020 · $172,232

## Abstract

Abstract
Genetic mouse models have been a powerful system to delineate key mechanisms of cancer
development. However, there are likely to be gene expression and regulation differences between
mouse and man that affect the applicability of some findings in these models. Furthermore, the inbred
strains that are used may come with additional genetic caveats due to loss of heterozygosity. For these
and other reasons, many cancer studies that identify targets or mechanisms in mouse systems benefit
from replicating key findings in a relevant human cell model. Xenograft technology has advanced
significantly over the past decade. There has been a rapid proliferation of immunodeficient mouse
strains, each with specific strengths relative to each other. More sophisticated in vivo studies are now
possible as a result of these new strains and many other technical advances in sample processing,
detection, analysis and modeling of therapeutic interventions. However, these mice are difficult to breed
and manipulate due to their immunodeficient status. Human cells also require a different set of
considerations. Human hematopoiesis in this environment is very different from what is found in mouse
transplant systems. There are additional host versus graft and graft versus host issues to consider.
Human cells require different culture conditions and transduction protocols. Human cells are
morphologically distinct. The markers used for detection are very different, making flow cytometry
experiments much more involved. I have spent the last 13 years working on these models and have
made several improvements along the way. My ability to apply my experiences to the projects of many
NCI funded investigators through the xenograft core facility that I have built adds significant efficiency
and value to the science that can be done at our institution. This proposal is in alignment with new NCI
initiatives to use mouse models and genomics to identify new molecular mechanisms of
carcinogenesis, delineate mechanisms of resistance, and identify new targets for drug discovery and
development.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9988378
- **Project number:** 5R50CA211404-05
- **Recipient organization:** CINCINNATI CHILDRENS HOSP MED CTR
- **Principal Investigator:** Mark Wunderlich
- **Activity code:** R50 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $172,232
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2016-09-15 → 2021-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9988378

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9988378, Therapeutic insights through patient derived leukemia xenografts (5R50CA211404-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9988378. Licensed CC0.

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