Proteomic assessment of human ovarian cancer cell lines xenotransplanted into the hamster cheek pouch

Abstract

Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecological cancer in America. This study tested the feasibility of linking our hamster experimental system to the clinical diagnosis and treatment of ovarian cancer. In particular, I xenotransplanted established human tumor cell lines (donor sample) into the hamster cheek pouch (immunologically privileged host site) and then assessed transplant status. After generating formalin-fixed / paraffin-embedded (FFPE) histology specimens of viable xenotransplant masses from two cell lines (SKOV3p43 and A2780p4), I evaluated expression of specific proteins in the transplants (proteomic assessments) using immunoblot and immunohistochemical analysis. Our results so far provide Proof-Of-Principle for a new clinical testing service to assist the diagnosis, prognosis, and personalized treatment of ovarian cancer.