Figure 1.

Key Figure Personalized Zebrafish Xenografting

Tumor-bearing zebrafish embryos are arrayed in 96-well plates where they are imaged and then treated with a battery of drugs selected as potential chemotherapeutics based on molecular profiling, tumor board input, and the judgment of the treating oncologist. Tumor cell behaviors including proliferation, angiogenesis, migration, and metastases are evaluated over a 3–5 day period. Based on the effects of the tested drugs, or drug combinations, on the selected behaviors, a chemosensitivity profile for the tumor of each patient can be developed. The drug sensitivity assay must first be validated in mouse orthotopic models to ensure similar sensitivity to the drug(s). In the future, in less than 7 days, the oncologist will be armed with potentially actionable information to guide treatment decisions.