Human tumor in vivo cancer models raised in immunodeficient mice, the so-called patient-derived xenografts, are increasingly in use in preclinical development and evaluation of novel drug candidates including HDAC inhibitors. Here, we describe the techniques needed to generate novel patient-derived xenografts. The focus lies on vitally frozen tumor biopsies as starting material. First, the preparative steps on the animals, followed by the engraftment procedure itself, the tumor growth surveillance, the explantation procedure, and finally the handling of obtained xenograft tissues are described step by step. This technical description is completed by numerous tips and alternatives designed to allow for an easy adaptation and transfer to other laboratories.
Keywords: PDX; Preclinical tumor models; Tumor cryopreservation; Xenografts; Xenopatients; Xenotransplantation.