Alfa Cytology has launched its Next-Gen PrimePDX™ platform, a preclinical cancer modeling system designed to address significant challenges in immuno-oncology research. As immunotherapy continues to grow as a cancer treatment approach, researchers face persistent difficulties with traditional tumor models that often fail to fully reproduce human immune responses, limiting their ability to predict how treatments will behave in preclinical testing.
The PrimePDX™ platform provides a system that shows tumor and immune interactions more clearly and allows studies that better reflect immune-related treatment effects in preclinical settings. Traditional PDX (patient-derived xenograft) models frequently fall short when immune activity is important, restricting their usefulness in immuno-oncology research. PrimePDX™ solves this fundamental problem by adding human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to create a functional immune system in mice.
Small tumor fragments or early-passage tissues (P2–P5) are used in the platform to keep tumor structures intact and maintain cellular diversity. Human cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) can also be added when needed to reproduce key features of the tumor microenvironment. Throughout studies, researchers monitor both tumor growth and immune reconstitution, with optional IVIS imaging allowing non-invasive tracking of tumor progression.
The platform is suitable for testing various immune-based treatments including checkpoint inhibitors, antibody therapies, cell therapies, and cancer vaccines. When used in conjunction with Alfa Cytology's existing in vitro platforms, researchers can implement a comprehensive workflow: first screening treatments in laboratory settings, then confirming effects in animal models, and finally evaluating whether effects observed in lab studies remain consistent in animal models. This integrated approach helps research teams track tumor-immune interactions and assess the potential of therapeutic candidates and combination strategies during preclinical research phases.
"In immuno-oncology research, having models that accurately represent immune responses is crucial," said a project lead at Alfa Cytology. "PrimePDX™ provides a controlled setting to observe tumor growth, immune cell behavior, and treatment effects. This helps scientists to improve study designs, evaluate combination approaches, and make more confident decisions before further preclinical testing."
Alfa Cytology has been developing in vitro and in vivo cancer models for years, including cell line-derived models, 3D cultures, cancer type-specific panels, and multiple animal models. These tools are used in various research applications including drug testing, mechanism of action studies, target validation, drug distribution assessment, and resistance tracking. Combined, they assist research teams in progressing from laboratory experiments to animal model confirmation, providing clearer views of treatment effects at each stage before advancing toward further preclinical studies.
The company provides a wide range of cancer research models and preclinical testing services covering in vitro platforms, in vivo systems, and functional testing technologies. These resources promote tumor biology studies, drug evaluation, and immunotherapy research while delivering steady and reliable results. Alfa Cytology's technical team continues to develop new models and testing options to support study designs for various cancer types, research needs, and emerging scientific challenges. More information about their services is available at https://www.alfacytology.com.
