Table 4.

Strengths and Limitations of Patient Derived Xenografts (PDXs) for the study of lung cancer

Strengths Histology and gene expression profile of tumors more closely resembles human pathology and may be more reflective of human counterpart, especially for testing and selection of conventional and targeted therapies. Useful for in vitro experimentation, drug screening and testing of targeted gene therapies. “Mouse Avatars” may help identify drugs for individualized therapies.

Weaknesses Commonest site of propagation (subcutaneous) not representative of human counterpart. After passage, stroma and vasculature are of host mouse origin. Lack of immune system prevents immunotherapy targeting. Metastatic spread rare and does not resemble human counterpart. Difficult to genetically manipulate May be contaminated with murine xenotropic virus. Large representative model sets not readily available and expensive.