Breast Cancer Xenograft

Altogen Labs validated Breast Cancer Xenograft animal models:

4T1, CAL51, BT474, EMT6, MCF-7, MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-468, HCC-1806, HCC-1954, HS578T, MDA-MB-453, MX1, MDA-MB-157, KPL-4, SKBR3, SUM185PE, T47D, ZR75-1

Breast Cancer Xenograft Models: Subcutaneous, Orthotopic, And Metastatic Breast Xenograft Models

Altogen Labs offers a comprehensive array of validated breast cancer xenograft models that support translational oncology research through subcutaneous, orthotopic, and metastatic platforms. These models, derived from human and murine breast cancer cell lines, encompass a wide range of molecular subtypes, including luminal A, luminal B, HER2-enriched, and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Each xenograft model is selected and validated based on the tumor’s receptor expression profile, genetic mutations, tumor growth kinetics, metastatic behavior, and responsiveness to chemotherapeutic or targeted agents. By accurately recapitulating key pathological features of breast cancer, these models serve as indispensable tools in preclinical drug development and mechanistic oncology studies.

In-house validated xenograft models:

BT474 Breast Cancer Orthotopic And Metastatic Xenograft Model: Download BT474 Xenograft Model

CAL51 Xenograft Tumor Model: Download CAL51 Xenograft Model

KPL4 Orthotopic and Subcutaneous Xenograft Model: Download KPL4 Xenograft Model

EMT6 Allograft Tumor Model: Download EMT6 Allograft Model

MDA-MB-157 Breast Cancer Xenograft Model: Download MDA-MB-157 Xenograft Model

T47D Subcutaneous And Orthotopic Xenograft Model: Download T47D Xenograft Model

HS578T Breast Cancer Xenograft Model: Download HS578T Xenograft Model

MDA-MB-231 Orthotopic And Metastatic Xenograft Model: Download MDA-MB-231 Xenograft Model

4T1 Allograft Tumor Model: Download 4T1 Allograft Model

HCC-1806 Breast Cancer Metastatic Xenograft Model: Download HCC1806 Xenograft Model

MDA-MB-453 Orthotopic And Metastatic Xenograft Model: Download MDA-MB-453 Xenograft Model

MDA-MB-468 Breast Cancer Tumor Model: Download MDA-MB-468 Xenograft Model

MCF7 Breast Cancer Subcutaneous And Orthotopic Model: Download MCF7 Xenograft Model

HCC-1954 Orthotopic And Metastatic Xenograft Model: Download HCC1954 Xenograft Model

MX1 Breast Cancer Xenograft Model: Download MX1 Xenograft Model

SKBR3 Subcutaneous And Orthotopic Model: Download SKBR3 Xenograft Model

SUM185 Breast Cancer Xenograft Model: Download SUM185 Xenograft Model

ZR-75-1 Orthotopic And Metastatic Xenograft Model: Download ZR-75 Xenograft Model

Selecting breast cancer xenograft model:

The BT474 xenograft model represents a HER2-positive, estrogen receptor-positive human ductal carcinoma. It is characterized by poor differentiation, rapid proliferation, and a high tumor burden in orthotopic and metastatic mouse models. Due to its overexpression of HER2, BT474 is frequently used in studies evaluating HER2-targeting therapies, including trastuzumab and pertuzumab. In contrast, the MCF-7 cell line exhibits a luminal A phenotype, expressing both estrogen and progesterone receptors and retaining the capacity to respond to estradiol stimulation. MCF-7 xenografts demonstrate moderate growth rates and are ideal for evaluating hormone-responsive therapies such as tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors.

The MDA-MB-231 model is among the most widely employed TNBC xenograft systems due to its aggressive phenotype, metastatic capacity, and spindle-shaped morphology. This model is characterized by the absence of ER, PR, and HER2, overexpression of EGFR, and high migratory potential. MDA-MB-231 tumors demonstrate resistance to hormone therapies but respond to select kinase inhibitors and experimental compounds targeting epithelial–mesenchymal transition and matrix remodeling. The MDA-MB-468 model, also triple-negative, is derived from a pleural effusion and harbors a homozygous p53 mutation. It is frequently used in preclinical studies examining DNA-damage responses and cytotoxic agents.

Hs578T cells present another TNBC xenograft option, characterized by mesenchymal features and a propensity for invasion and aneuploidy. This model is particularly useful for studying genes associated with chromosomal instability and cytoskeletal regulation. The MDA-MB-453 cell line expresses androgen receptor and fibroblast growth factor signaling components, yet lacks ER and PR expression. It is HER2-positive and tumorigenic under hormonally supplemented conditions, making it suitable for studies examining androgen receptor-targeted therapies.

The KPL-4 xenograft model is derived from pleural effusion and exhibits HER2 overexpression along with lymph node metastasis. It is used in evaluating ErbB-family inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies, particularly in combination therapy studies. Similarly, T47D xenografts represent ER-positive, luminal B breast cancers. These cells display a hypotriploid karyotype and are responsive to hormonal therapies. ZR-75-1 xenografts, derived from ascites of metastatic ductal carcinoma, share estrogen sensitivity and exhibit expression of MUC-1 and MUC-2, making them useful for glycoprotein-targeted research.

Models derived from basal-like breast cancers such as HCC1806 and HCC1954 further expand the Altogen xenograft portfolio. HCC1806 cells are negative for hormone receptors and exhibit features of squamous cell carcinoma, including cytokeratin 19 and EGP2 expression. This model is highly tumorigenic and appropriate for evaluating therapies targeting basal-like molecular subtypes. HCC1954, in contrast, is HER2-amplified and demonstrates large epithelial morphology. Its resistance to standard HER2-directed therapies makes it a valuable model for overcoming trastuzumab resistance.

The CAL51 model offers a rare example of a triple-negative breast cancer line that retains partial epithelial morphology and demonstrates reproducible tumor growth in xenografts. It is frequently selected for comparative drug studies involving TNBC heterogeneity. The MDA-MB-157 model is another triple-negative line, notable for WNT7B expression and prominent cytoskeletal features such as desmosomes and tonofilaments. This model is valuable in mechanistic studies of cytoskeletal remodeling and metastatic behavior.

The murine 4T1 model, derived from BALB/c mammary carcinoma, is highly aggressive and spontaneously metastasizes to lung, liver, and bone, paralleling human breast cancer metastatic kinetics. Its intact murine immune system allows the evaluation of immunotherapies and immune checkpoint inhibitors. Similarly, EMT6, another murine breast carcinoma model, is epithelial-like, rapidly tumorigenic, and suitable for syngeneic studies involving host immune interactions and immunogenicity.

The MX1 xenograft model represents a hormone receptor-positive breast tumor with well-differentiated histology and moderate growth rate. Although less commonly used, MX1 provides a platform for evaluating combination therapies involving hormone receptor targeting and cytotoxic agents. The SUM185PE cell line, derived from invasive lobular carcinoma, expands the Altogen xenograft collection to include rare subtypes. SUM185PE tumors retain E-cadherin expression and are often employed in studies of cell-cell adhesion and endocrine resistance.

Altogen Labs provides full-service xenograft study design and implementation using these breast cancer models, including cell line validation, murine host selection, tumor implantation (subcutaneous, orthotopic into the mammary fat pad, or intravenous for metastatic colonization), and longitudinal monitoring of tumor growth using caliper measurement, imaging, and bioluminescent tracking where applicable. Murine hosts include immunodeficient strains such as NSG, NOD/SCID, BALB/c nude, and Swiss nude mice, with specific selection based on study duration, immunogenicity, and tumor take rate.

Each xenograft model offered by Altogen Labs has been in-house validated for tumor growth kinetics, reproducibility, and responsiveness to standard-of-care agents. This ensures rigorous data output suitable for IND-enabling toxicology, pharmacokinetic, and pharmacodynamic studies. Histological and molecular analyses, including hematoxylin and eosin staining, immunohistochemistry, ELISA-based serum biomarker profiling, and RT-PCR gene expression analysis, are available to comprehensively characterize therapeutic response.

By integrating these highly characterized breast cancer models into drug discovery workflows, Altogen Labs supports the development of novel chemotherapies, targeted agents, antibody-drug conjugates, and immunotherapies. These models enable delineation of resistance pathways, identification of predictive biomarkers, and validation of new therapeutic combinations in a physiologically relevant context. Altogen’s capabilities in both human and murine breast cancer xenograft modeling, paired with its GLP-compliant and IACUC-regulated facility infrastructure, make it a premier partner for preclinical oncology research.

For more information or to initiate a breast cancer xenograft study, contact Altogen Labs at info@altogenlabs.com or call us at 512-433-6177

Altogen Labs