Abstract 45: PDX technology transfer: NCI cancer center to HBCU
Authors: Teni O. Akin-Olugbemi (equal contribution), De'llaijah Lucas (equal contribution), Romell Stone, Esther Frimpong, Raviteja Bulusu, Hernan Flores-Rozas, Edward Agyare, Tanise Jackson, Renee Reams, Seth Ablordeppey, Brooke Hensel, Jose Trevino, Steven J. Hughes, Han Song, Christina Gobin, Bodour Salhia, Paul Okunieff, Kristianna Fredenburg, John M. Allen, Bereket Mochona, Diana J. Wilkie
Journal: Cancer Research (2025)

We profile a technology transfer process between two partnering research institutions and the early outcomes. The Partnerships to Advance Cancer Health Equity (PACHE) program seeks to increase cancer research at HBCUs via collaborations with NCI-designated cancer centers. One such partnership, the Florida-California Cancer Research Education and Engagement (CaRE2) Health Equity Center, completed a series of studies with Patient Derived Xenograft (PDX) models to test novel compounds and delivery systems as treatment for pancreatic cancer. PDX models involve the implantation of human tumor tissues into immune incompetent mice for studies that mirror the human context. Few pancreatic cancer PDX models exist for Black patients, at high risk for pancreatic cancer incidence and mortality. For early studies, the cancer center Tissue Modeling &amp; Drug Development Core (TMDDC) shipped the PDX models to the HBCU after implantation in the 25 mice needed for each study. To increase research capacity at the HBCU after these successful studies, the HBCU investigators, students, and a veterinarian were trained at the cancer center lab to implant the PDX tumor tissue in immune incompetent mice. The TMDDC shipped frozen PDX tumor tissue from a Black male patient to the HBCU, which the veterinarian implanted in 3 mice (Generation 1; Gen1). Tumor growth occurred in 1 of 3 mice (33%). The Gen1 tumor is now being expanded by implantation into 5 additional mice (Gen2) for future implantation in the 25 mice (Gen3) that are needed for the planned studies. The TMDDC shipped tissue from a Black female patient’s PDX tumor to the HBCU for replication of Gen1-3 procedures. In support of 2 CaRE2 projects, the 50 mice (25 from a Black male, 25 from a Black female) with the Gen3 PDX tumors will be used at the HBCU to (1) test effects of a modified gemcitabine compound delivered by nanotechnology, and (2) test a cfDNA biomarker of tumor response. Two postbaccalaureate trainees (1 at cancer center, 1 at HBCU) worked with the TMDDC at each institution as part of the technology transfer from the cancer center to the HBCU. The trainees’ important contribution to the technology transfer process involved documentation of the standard operating procedures for receiving the PDX tissues, implementing the expansion Gen1-3 steps for research at the HBCU, and building a well-annotated, living repository of pancreatic PDX tissues at the HBCU for ongoing cancer health disparities research studies and for training of the HBCU graduate students in the use of these technologies. This successful technology transfer enables cutting edge training for the HBCU students and facilitates their success as they enter the cancer health disparities research workforce. Furthermore, this project demonstrates the hallmark of a successful PACHE partnership, specifically the complementary collaboration among the CaRE2 Projects, Research Education Core, TMDDC, and Administrative Core to enable this technology transfer to the HBCU. Citation Format: Teni O. Akin-Olugbemi (equal contribution), De'llaijah Lucas (equal contribution), Romell Stone, Esther Frimpong, Raviteja Bulusu, Hernan Flores-Rozas, Edward Agyare, Tanise Jackson, Renee Reams, Seth Ablordeppey, Brooke Hensel, Jose Trevino, Steven J. Hughes, Han Song, Christina Gobin, Bodour Salhia, Paul Okunieff, Kristianna Fredenburg, John M. Allen, Bereket Mochona, Diana J. Wilkie. PDX technology transfer: NCI cancer center to HBCU [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2025; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2025 Apr 25-30; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2025;85(8_Suppl_1):Abstract nr 45.