Alfa Cytology Launches PrimePDX™ Platform to Address Immuno-Oncology Research Gaps

Alfa Cytology has launched the Next-Gen PrimePDX™ platform to strengthen preclinical cancer modeling from in vitro to in vivo stages, addressing critical gaps in immuno-oncology research. As immunotherapy continues to grow, researchers face challenges with traditional tumor models that often fail to fully reproduce immune responses, making it difficult to predict treatment behavior in preclinical testing. The new platform provides a system that shows tumor and immune interactions more clearly and allows studies that better reflect immune-related treatment effects.

The company has been developing in vitro and in vivo models of cancer for years, including cell line-derived models, 3D cultures, cancer type-specific panels, and multiple animal models. These tools are used in drug testing, studying how treatments work, validating targets, assessing drug distribution, and tracking resistance. Combined, they assist research teams in starting with lab experiments and then confirming results in animal models, giving a clearer view of treatment effects at each stage before moving toward further preclinical studies.

Traditional PDX models often fall short when immune activity is important, limiting their usefulness in immuno-oncology research. PrimePDX™ solves this by adding human PBMCs to create a functional immune system in mice. Small tumor fragments or early-passage tissues are used to keep tumor structures intact and maintain diversity. Human CAFs can also be added to reproduce key features of the tumor microenvironment when needed. Tumor growth and immune reconstitution are monitored throughout the study, and optional IVIS imaging allows non-invasive tracking of tumor progression.

PrimePDX™ is suitable for testing checkpoint inhibitors, antibody therapies, cell therapies, cancer vaccines, and other immune-based treatments. When used together with Alfa Cytology's in vitro platforms, researchers can first screen treatments in the lab, then confirm effects in animal models, and finally evaluate whether effects observed in lab studies are consistent in animal models. This process helps teams track tumor-immune interactions and assess the potential of therapeutic candidates and combination strategies in preclinical research.

"In immuno-oncology research, having models that accurately represent immune responses is crucial," said a project lead at Alfa Cytology. "PrimePDX™ provides a controlled setting to observe tumor growth, immune cell behavior, and treatment effects. This helps scientists to improve study designs, evaluate combination approaches, and make more confident decisions before further preclinical testing." The company provides a wide range of cancer research models and preclinical testing services, covering in vitro platforms, in vivo systems, and functional testing technologies that promote tumor biology studies, drug evaluation, and immunotherapy research.