In Vivo immunization tumor models

Because the low immunogenicity of tumor cells is one of the mechanisms that tumors use to escape from the immune surveillance, one of immunotherapeutic strategies aims at enhancing the presentation of tumor antigens to T cells. This makes therapeutic cancer vaccines an attractive alternative, in which adjuvants are necessary to facilitate the induction and achievement of the desired immune response to weak antigens.

In this respect, Explicyte is offering an immunization model based on the co-administration of adjuvants poly(I:C) (TLR3 ligand) and agonistic anti-CD40 antibody into tumor-bearing mice, and adapted for the evaluation of drug candidate for their ability to boost the anti-tumor immunity.

TLR3 ligation-CD40 activation immunization model

  • Syngeneic tumor models – tumor cells are inoculated into immunocompetent mice to keep intact the host immune response against the tumor.
  • A validated treatment protocol in line with published literature data.
  • An adapted therapeutic window to evaluate potential synergistic effects with drug candidate.

Illustrative data

TLR3 ligation/CD40 activation immunization CT26 tumor model
Poly(I:C)/anti-CD40 antibody immunization delays tumor growth in CT26 tumor-bearing mice.

Mice are challenged with CT26 tumor cells and exposed to Poly(I:C) and agonist anti-CD40 antibody, and tumor growth is monitored overtime. Poly(I:C)/anti-CD40 antibody treatment triggers an anti-tumor effect when compared to controls. 

Poly(I:C)/anti-CD40 antibody immunization delays tumor growth in CT26 tumor-bearing mice. ...

TLR3 ligation/CD40 activation immunization MC38 tumor model
Poly(I:C)/anti-CD40 antibody immunization triggers a slight anti-tumor effect in MC38 tumor-bearing mice.

Mice are challenged with MC38 tumor cells and exposed to Poly(I:C) and anti-CD40 antibody, and tumor growth is monitored overtime. Poly(I:C)/anti-CD40 antibody treatment slows down tumor growth compared to controls, with a full tumor rejection in some immunized mice.  

Poly(I:C)/anti-CD40 antibody immunization triggers a slight anti-tumor effect in MC38 tumor-bearing ...

In vivo efficacy and anti-tumor immune response profiling

  • Standard package: Tumor growth, body weight and survival are monitored 3 times per week in experimental groups of standardly 10 mice, to test a drug candidate alone and in combination with poly(I:C)/anti-CD40 antibody.
  • As for our satellite immune response profiling studies, satellite mice (N=4) can be added to each group to study the impact of a treatment on the immunological synapse at the tumor level and peripheral compartments. Mechanisms underlying the immune response can be deciphered using either flow cytometry and/or RT-qPCR platforms.

Our added-value

  • Fast study initiation and weekly progress reports: Tumor models are quickly set up upon agreement. Weekly reports enable to follow the progressively achieved data, in conjunction with the Sponsor.
  • Longitudinal mice bleeding: blood samples can be collected every week, allowing the evaluation of peripheral markers overtime or at given analysis time-points.
  • A strong expertise in syngeneic tumor models of immune checkpoint inhibition: Explicyte offers a range of in vivo tumor models including anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy models.