Patient-derived xenograft models (PDX), in which tumor fragments surgically dissected from cancer patients are directly transplanted into immunodeficient mice, retain the principal histologic and genetic characteristics of their donor tumor and remain stable across earliest passages. Based on this, PDX models are considered superior preclinical cancer models that offer predictive insight into clinical outcomes. As such they are widely used for preclinical drug evaluation, biomarker identification, biologic studies, and personalized medicine strategies.

The UGent expertise and use of PDX models for fundamental, translational and clinical research is rapidly expanding. Given this, we propose to establish a PDX facility center in Ghent that offers i) a dedicated part of the new animal house at the UZ Ghent hospital for PDXs and ii) a centralized coordination to generate, characterize and biobank PDX models which allows a flexible exchange of knowledge and research tools. PDXGhent will create unique opportunities for the cancer research community in Ghent to further intensify interactions between research laboratories and the university hospital. These collaborations will further stimulate top level cancer research in Ghent and accelerate the pace by which novel emerging therapies will become available for cancer patients that are currently treated in the clinic.