Dr. Azusa Tanaka of Taconic Biosciences describes the importance of researchers choosing between orthotopic and heterotopic models, that [in the example of a brain tumor] "researchers need to consider how challenging such microsurgeries would be in terms of both technical expertise and time, particularly when the goal is large drug screens:"
"The model host is also a significant factor as researchers look to build their PDX models, particularly in the era of immuno-oncology and the potential to humanize the immune systems of recipient mice.
"If you're interested in using a specific immune cell, you should be really careful about, again, what model you are going to use," says Azusa Tanaka, product manager of precision research models at Taconic. "Many of the immune cells require cytokines for its survival. So how are you going to introduce that in vitro?"
Thus, she continues, some researchers are looking for models where cytokines are expressed via transgenic modification or have been introduced via viral expression."
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"If you're interested in using a specific immune cell, you should be really careful about, again, what model you are going to use," says Azusa Tanaka, product manager of precision research models at Taconic. "Many of the immune cells require cytokines for its survival. So how are you going to introduce that in vitro?"
Thus, she continues, some researchers are looking for models where cytokines are expressed via transgenic modification or have been introduced via viral expression."