Murine Pancreatic-Cancer Cell Lines

Background: Most cell lines used for pancreatic cancer research are human lines that only grow in immunodeficient mice. This type of model fails to replicate the tumor microenvironment that is an important component of pancreatic cancer.

This technology pertains to murine pancreatic-cancer cell lines that grow in immunocompetent mice and possess genetic mutations that mirror those found in the human disease. One line rapidly and reliably metastasizes to the liver.

Technology Description: The cell lines developed by UC San Diego reliably and rapidly grow and metastasize in immunocompetent mice, allowing for the study of tumor interactions with immune cells. It also will allow for the manipulation of the gene/protein expression and therefore permit the study of cell signaling in ways not possible with human-on-mouse models given the issues of ligand/receptor incompatibility that occur when crossing species. The other alternative is genetic models, but they are much more costly and time-consuming to develop and also affect the whole pancreas—unlike human disease which arises focally.

Case Number: SD2009-215

Inquiries To: invent@ucsd.edu