In vivo models for immuno-oncology I Cancer ImmunoTherapy CRO Services

Testing novel cancer immunotherapies in predictive animal models is a key step for the development of innovative therapeutic approaches acting in conjunction with the host immune system to enhance anti-tumor responses. Syngeneic mouse models provide a comprehensive effective approach for in vivo efficacy studies as well as to underlie mechanism(s) of action and safety profile of candidate immunotherapeutics, in the presence of a functionally immunocompetent system. To assess new compounds for their ability to promote anti-cancer responses, our syngeneic tumor-bearing mouse models, including subcutaneous and orthotopic formats, have been developed and characterized for their response to known chemotherapy and immunotherapy treatments, including TLR3 stimulation and first-in-class immune checkpoint inhibitors (anti-CTLA-4, anti-PD-1, anti-PD-L1 antibodies). Our models are thus suitable to monitor both efficacy and immunological responses to treatments, associated with different platforms including flow cytometry, RT-qPCR, and microdialysis. To summarize our preclinical CRO services for anti-tumor immune response profiling: key immunological markers can be analayzed within the tumor and in peripheral sites (blood, spleen, lymph nodes) using appropriate quantitative multiplex technologies such as flow cytometry, RT-qPCR, and immunohistochemistry or immunohistofluorescence-based imaging. Finally, Blood or derivatives as well as solid tissue samples can be collected from mice to be then sent to the Sponsor or used in subsequent studies. This way we avoid to re-launch the in vivo part of studies aiming at evaluating the immune response profile across the treatment groups.