Overview
SCLC being one of the most metastatic of all human cancers. Liver metastasis is a frequent metastatic site in SCLC and correlates with worse survival. Likewise, the majority of patients will develop incurable brain metastasis during disease progression. SCLC metastasis, particularly brain metastasis, has been understudied due to lack of patient samples and (until now) patient derived preclinical models. Multiple subcutaneously implanted CDX metastasise to secondary sites observed in patients including lung, liver and brain, enabling molecular profiling studies that encompass longitudinal in vivo growth studies and ex vivo characterisation via genetic and pharmacological manipulation. We are studying the molecular changes observed in CTCs, seeding and early micro-mets in liver and brain and subsequent changes as these metastases colonise and grow.
Image: Zoomed in view of LeGO CDX17P tumour showing the region of Vascular Mimicry.
