Mice homozygous for the scid mutation lack both T and B cells due to a defect in V(D)J recombination. They easily accepts foreign tissue transplants, including human tumors, making them effective models for testing new cancer treatments, but they are sensitive to radiation due to a defect in DNA repair. Scid mice are also useful for examining the relationship between immunity and disease.

Standard scid models are generally produced from sizeable live colonies and are available under the Taconic general terms of sale.

Certain cell lines engraft easily in nude or scid mice, but slow-growing cell lines and patient-derived tumors may require super immunodeficient hosts such as NOG mice. NOG and second generation NOG strains are also appropriate hosts for immune system humanization, and these models can be further engrafted with human tumors to study immuno-oncology therapeutic efficacy.

These GEM immunodeficients and super immunodeficient models may be subject to more restrictive terms of use than the standard nude and scid immunodeficient models and are generally produced in smaller quantities.

Use the comparison table below or contact Taconic for guidance on the most appropriate immunodeficient model for your needs.

Taconic has compiled a database of published human tumor cell lines, with details on cancer type, appropriate host strains and published references. This is an excellent starting point for identification of desired cell lines, likely hosts and starting conditions for a pilot study. Not sure which strain may be best for your study? Contact us for a free trial, including comparison of multiple host strains.