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Development of an orthotopic SCID mouse-human tumor xenograft model displaying the multidrug-resistant phenotype

W T Bellamy1, P Mendibles, P Bontje

  • 1Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson 85724, USA.

Insights

Researchers developed two multidrug-resistant (MDR) human multiple myeloma cell lines, ARH-D60 and ARM-80, in SCID mice. These cell lines exhibit orthotopic growth and MDR, offering a valuable model for studying multiple myeloma pathophysiology.

Area of Science:

  • Hematology
  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Multiple myeloma is a generally incurable plasma cell malignancy with initial chemotherapy response.
  • Existing animal models have limitations; human xenografts in immunodeficient mice offer a promising alternative.
  • Severe Combined Immunodeficient (SCID) mice are suitable for hematopoietic and lymphoid transplantation without graft-versus-host reactions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop and characterize multidrug-resistant (MDR) human multiple myeloma cell lines.
  • To evaluate the in vivo growth patterns of these cell lines in SCID mice.
  • To establish a novel experimental model for studying multiple myeloma pathophysiology.

Main Methods:

  • In vitro development of drug-resistant variants (ARH-D60, ARM-80) from the ARH-77 human multiple myeloma cell line via stepwise drug exposure.
  • Injection of cell lines into irradiated SCID mice to assess orthotopic and disseminated growth patterns.
  • Phenotypic characterization, including drug resistance profiles, cross-resistance, and multidrug-resistance (MDR) phenotype assessment, with partial reversal by verapamil.

Main Results:

  • ARH-D60 cells demonstrated orthotopic growth in SCID mice with osteolytic lesions, unlike the 8226/C1N cell line.
  • Both ARH-D60 and ARM-80 cell lines exhibited resistance to doxorubicin and cross-resistance to mitoxantrone, vinca alkaloids, taxol, and m-AMSA.
  • A classic multidrug-resistance (MDR) phenotype was observed, partially reversed by verapamil, without altering growth characteristics or cell cycle kinetics.

Conclusions:

  • The ARH-D60 and ARM-80 cell lines are the first MDR human myeloma cell lines to show orthotopic growth in SCID mice.
  • These cell lines represent a valuable preclinical model for investigating multiple myeloma pathophysiology and drug resistance mechanisms.
  • The model may aid in developing novel therapeutic strategies for drug-resistant multiple myeloma.

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