Neuroblastoma patient-derived xenograft cells cultured in stem-cell promoting medium retain tumorigenic and metastatic capacities but differentiate in serum.

ABSTRACT: Cultured cancer cells serve as important models for preclinical testing of anti-cancer compounds. However, the optimal conditions for retaining original tumor features during in vitro culturing of cancer cells have not been investigated in detail. Here we show that serum-free conditions are critical for maintaining an immature phenotype of neuroblastoma cells isolated from orthotopic patient-derived xenografts (PDXs). PDX cells could be grown either as spheres or adherent on laminin in serum-free conditions with retained patient-specific genomic aberrations as well as tumorigenic and metastatic capabilities. However, addition of serum led to morphological changes, neuronal differentiation and reduced cell proliferation. The epidermal growth factor (EGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (

SUBMITTER: Persson CU 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5579187 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature