The development of sustainable preclinical models for neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) has long been hampered by the slow growth rates of these tumours and the high costs and logistical hurdles associated with using traditional murine xenografts. Understanding tumour biology and identifying personalised therapies requires a more efficient, vascularised platform that can keep pace with clinical timelines. 

In this study, Kulathunga et al. utilised the avian embryo ex ovo model to engraft fresh surgical tumour fragments from patients with pancreatic and small-intestine NETs. The study had an 18-day timeline, initiating incubation at day 0, transferring embryos to an ex ovo setting at day 4 (ED04), and engrafting either human neuroendocrine neoplasm (NEN) cell lines or fresh patient tumour fragments onto the chorioallantoic membrane at day 8 (ED08). Initial validation with various NEN cell lines showed a success rate of over 90%, while patient-derived fragments achieved engraftment rates exceeding 80%. 

Using high-frequency ultrasound and immunostaining, the researchers confirmed the xenografts were functionally vascularised and preserved original histological features and critical biomarkers such as somatostatin receptor 2, the primary target for radioligand therapy. This feasible, vascularised system offers a rapid alternative ex ovo system for modelling patient-derived xenografts and personalised treatment strategies.

Read the full article in Endocrine-Related Cancer https://doi.org/10.1530/ERC-25-0377