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Updated: Apr 15, 2026
An Orthotopic Resectional Mouse Model of Pancreatic Cancer
Published on: September 24, 2020
MUC1 selectively targets human pancreatic cancer in orthotopic nude mouse models
Jeong Youp Park1, Yukihiko Hiroshima2, Jin Young Lee3
1Department of Surgery, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California, United States of America; AntiCancer, Inc., San Diego, California, United States of America; Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Abstract:
The goal of this study was to determine whether MUC1 antibody conjugated with a fluorophore could be used to visualize pancreatic cancer. Anti-MUC1 (CT2) antibody was conjugated with 550 nm or 650 nm fluorophores. Nude mouse were used to make subcutaneous and orthotopic models of pancreatic cancer. Western blot and flow cytometric analysis confirmed the expression of MUC1 in human pancreatic cancer cell lines including BxPC-3 and Panc-1. Immunocytochemistry with fluorophore conjugated anti-MUC1 antibody demonstrated fluorescent areas on the membrane of Panc-1 cancer cells. After injecting the conjugated anti-MUC1 antibodies via the tail vein, subcutaneously transplanted Panc-1 and BxPC-3 tumors emitted strong fluorescent signals. In the subcutaneous tumor models, the fluorescent signal from the conjugated anti-MUC1 antibody was noted around the margin of the tumor and space between the cells. The conjugated anti-MUC1 antibody bound the tumor in orthotopically-transplanted Panc-1 and BxPC-3 models enabling the tumors to be imaged. This study showed that fluorophore conjugated anti-MUC1 antibodies could visualize pancreatic tumors in vitro and in vivo and may help to improve the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer.
Insights
Fluorophore-conjugated MUC1 antibodies effectively visualize pancreatic tumors in vitro and in vivo. This novel approach shows potential for improving pancreatic cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Biotechnology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Pancreatic cancer diagnosis and treatment remain challenging.
- MUC1 is a biomarker overexpressed in pancreatic cancer.
- Novel imaging techniques are needed for early detection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility of MUC1 antibody conjugated with fluorophores for visualizing pancreatic cancer.
- To assess the in vitro and in vivo efficacy of this targeted imaging approach.
Main Methods:
- Conjugation of anti-MUC1 (CT2) antibody with 550 nm or 650 nm fluorophores.
- Confirmation of MUC1 expression in pancreatic cancer cell lines (BxPC-3, Panc-1) via Western blot and flow cytometry.
- In vitro immunocytochemistry and in vivo imaging in nude mouse models (subcutaneous and orthotopic) of pancreatic cancer.
Main Results:
- MUC1 expression was confirmed in human pancreatic cancer cell lines.
- Fluorophore-conjugated anti-MUC1 antibodies showed specific binding and fluorescence on cancer cell membranes in vitro.
- In vivo imaging revealed strong fluorescent signals from tumors in both subcutaneous and orthotopic models.
- The antibody localized to the tumor margin and intercellular spaces in subcutaneous models.
Conclusions:
- Fluorophore-conjugated anti-MUC1 antibodies can successfully visualize pancreatic tumors.
- This method offers a promising tool for in vitro and in vivo imaging of pancreatic cancer.
- The findings suggest potential for improved diagnosis and treatment strategies for pancreatic cancer.
