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Updated: Jan 5, 2026

Author Spotlight: Replicating Human Osteosarcoma Progression in Immunodeficient Mice for Cancer Study
Published on: March 22, 2024
Patient-derived orthotopic xenograft models of sarcoma
Kentaro Igarashi1, Kei Kawaguchi2, Takashi Murakami2
1AntiCancer, Inc, San Diego, CA, USA; Department of Surgery, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan.
Abstract:
Sarcoma is a rare and recalcitrant malignancy. Although immune and novel targeted therapies have been tested on many cancer types, few sarcoma patients have had durable responses with such therapy. Doxorubicin and cisplatinum are still first-line chemotherapy after four decades. Our laboratory has established the patient-derived orthotopic xenograft (PDOX) model using surgical orthotopic implantation (SOI). Many promising results have been obtained using the sarcoma PDOX model for identifying effective approved drugs and experimental therapeutics, as well as combinations of them for individual patients. In this review, we present our laboratory's experience with PDOX models of sarcoma, and the ability of the PDOX models to identify effective approved agents, as well as experimental therapeutics.
Insights
Patient-derived orthotopic xenograft (PDOX) models show promise for identifying effective treatments for rare sarcoma cancers. These models help find successful approved drugs and experimental therapeutics for individual patients.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cancer Research
- Translational Medicine
Background:
- Sarcoma is a rare and difficult-to-treat cancer.
- Current treatments, like doxorubicin and cisplatin, have been used for decades with limited success.
- Novel therapies have shown limited durable responses in sarcoma patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the laboratory's experience with patient-derived orthotopic xenograft (PDOX) models for sarcoma.
- To highlight the utility of PDOX models in identifying effective therapeutic strategies for sarcoma.
Main Methods:
- Establishment of sarcoma patient-derived orthotopic xenograft (PDOX) models via surgical orthotopic implantation (SOI).
- Utilizing PDOX models to test approved drugs and experimental therapeutics.
- Evaluating drug combinations for individual patient treatment.
Main Results:
- Sarcoma PDOX models have demonstrated success in identifying effective therapeutic agents.
- These models facilitate the discovery of promising experimental therapeutics.
- PDOX models aid in determining effective drug combinations for personalized treatment.
Conclusions:
- Patient-derived orthotopic xenograft (PDOX) models are valuable tools in sarcoma research.
- PDOX models can identify effective approved and experimental therapies for sarcoma.
- These models hold potential for advancing personalized medicine in sarcoma treatment.

