UCLA researchers have developed the first transplantable human inflammatory carcinoma xenograft, designated MARY-X. Inflammatory breast carcinomas are one of the most aggressive human cancers, exhibiting an exaggerated degree of intravasation in situ and manifesting into florid lymphatic and vascular invasions. Therefore, MARY-X provides a good experimental model to dissect the molecular processes of intravasation. Additionally, comparison studies of inflammatory breast carcinoma xenografts in nude mice to the pathogenesis of the disease in humans, showed striking similarities. One of the most prominent was the fact that growth of MARY-X was exclusively limited to the murine lymphovascular spaces as exhibited in humans.

These experimental models for inflammatory carcinoma provide the necessary research tools to dissect the process of intravasations on a molecular level as well as the manifestation of this specific cancer. Additionally, the model can be used to identify potential molecular targets for therapeutic intervention and to assess the efficacy of a broad spectrum of diagnostic and therapeutic agents.

Reference: UCLA Case No. 1999-548

US Patent No.: 6,998,513