Fibrosarcoma - WEHI 164

Discover how Melior’s unique phenotypic screening platforms can uncover the untapped value of your candidate therapeutic

Fibrosarcoma is a type of malignant tumor that originates from fibrous connective tissue. It is a rare form of sarcoma; a type of cancer that affects the body’s connective tissue, including bones, cartilage, and muscle. Fibrosarcoma typically grows in the deep tissues of the body and can invade surrounding tissues, making it difficult to completely remove with surgery. If left untreated, fibrosarcoma can metastasize to other parts of the body, such as the lungs and other organs.

The choice of treatment for fibrosarcoma depends on several factors, including the location, size, and stage of the tumor.  Treatment typically involves surgical removal of the tumor, followed by radiation to help prevent recurrence.  Depending on the size and location of the tumor it may be removed with a margin of healthy tissue surrounding it (wide local excision) or the affected limb may be amputated.

Chemotherapy is generally not very effective in treating fibrosarcoma, but it may be considered in certain situations.  There has been growing interest in using targeted therapies and immunotherapies for the treatment of soft tissue sarcomas, including fibrosarcomas. However, there are currently no FDA-approved targeted therapies or immunotherapies specifically for fibrosarcoma. Clinical trials are ongoing to explore the use of these treatments in fibrosarcoma, as well as other rare types of soft tissue sarcomas.  Melior’s animal model of fibrosarcomas is an important tool towards this ends.  Our syngeneic WEHI 164 fibrosarcoma mouse model complements the array of other syngeneic and xenograft models that we have established.

WEHI 164 fibrosarcoma cells are a well-established cell line that has been widely used as a model for fibrosarcoma tumors.  These cells were originally derived from a tumor that arose in a BALB/c mouse.  They have a fibrosarcoma phenotype and exhibit many of the same molecular and cellular changes that are observed in human fibrosarcoma.  They are widely available and used by many research laboratories making it easy for researchers to compare their results with others.  In addition to their use as a model for fibrosarcoma, WEHI 164 fibrosarcoma cells have also been used to study various other biological processes, including cell migration and invasion, angiogenesis, and the response of cancer cells to chemotherapy.

Chemotherapy and immune check point inhibitor validations in mouse fibrosarcoma WEHI 164 syngeneic model.  1 x106 WEHI 164 were subcutaneously injected into the rear flank of Balb/C mice. Once the tumors size reached ~150 mm3 (Day 6), mice were randomized into untreated control group, anti PD-1 group (12.5mg/kg, IP weekly) and paclitaxel group (20 mg/kg, IP weekly). Tumor size was measured 2 times per week by calipers (A). At the end of the study (Day 20) animals were sacrificed, tumors excised, and weighed (B, C). Data area mean +/- SEM. * P< 0.05, ** P< 0.01, *** P< 0.001

Melior can initiate your syngeneic fibrosarcoma model study with very short lead times and with bespoke study design to suit your needs. Including time to establish tumor-bearing mice (1-2 weeks) and typical treatment times (2-3 weeks) these studies normally run for approximately 5-6 weeks.