Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
The Human Cancer Models Initiative (HCMI), supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has developed a comprehensive resource of patient-derived tumor models to advance cancer research and precision therapies. This collection includes 665 next-generation laboratory cancer models derived from 2,780 donors, representing 25 cancer types. It covers all common subtypes and major genetic alterations within each subtype, according to the NIH.
These models retain close molecular fidelity to their original tumors, matching genetic mutations and gene expression patterns linked to malignancy. This extensive repository addresses previous limitations of models that captured only limited biological diversity in human cancers, the NIH states.
The lab-grown models include organoids with cellular compositions similar to natural organs. For example, neurosphere cell clusters derived from brain cancers show neural stem cell characteristics. These models facilitate studies on tumor evolution, diversity, and the relationship between genetic features and drug sensitivity.
By linking patient-derived models with molecular and clinical data, HCMI establishes a framework to enhance understanding of cancer biology and improve patient outcomes. The resource is internationally accessible and distributed to cancer researchers to support deeper knowledge and accelerate therapy development.