Our AVI-PDX™ and AVI-cellDX™ models
Oncofactory operates a unique technological platform exploiting an innovative patient-derived xenograft (PDX) animal model, the avian embryo. Miniature replicas of tumors from patient samples (AVI-PDX™) or from cell lines (AVI-cellDX™) are created in a series of embryos, which can receive therapeutic treatments.
Our technology allows modeling the heterogeneity of patient tumors, statistical analysis of treatment efficacies, and a range of molecular analyses for biomarker and therapeutic target discovery.
The AVI-PDX™ model of Oncofactory holds the unique advantage of allowing the creation of tumors and the delivery of therapeutic compounds (small molecule, targeted therapy, immunotherapy) in only a few days. Moreover, the tumorigenesis is targeted onto tissues which are homologous to those in which primary tumors emerge in the patient or in known sites of metastasis. Tumor replicas are imaged in 3D in the entire organism by using high resolution confocal microscopy. A range of molecular analyses can also be conducted on tumor replicas, host tissues and fluids, to achieve a molecular profiling characterizing the sensitivity and resistance to treatments.
Our AVI-Tumoral models
Our most recent R&D achievement:
iAVI-models to evaluate immunotherapy
in mono and combi-therapies
AVI-cellDX™
CELL LINES
AVI-PDX™
PATIENT BIOPSIES
iAVI-cellDX™
CELL LINES
iAVI-cellDX™
PATIENT BIOPSIES
HUMANIZED WITH IMMUNE CELLS
Find out our offers :
This technology is protected by 2 patents :
1.EP 3 167 048 B1 • 2.WO 2017/103025
Graft of patient sample
into the embryo
Tissues and organs are already
prefigured in the embryo
Due to high degree of inter-specie
conservation, human cells can read the
signals from the avian microenvironment
KEY ADVANTAGES
Tumorigenesis is targeted into selected territories corresponding to patient primary tumor sites or to known metastatic sites.
Cancer cells exploit tissue specific signals to proliferate and to establish metastases.
How and why does our model work ?
Classically, patient-derived xenografts (PDX) are achieved under the skin of adult immune-deprived mice and take weeks to months to give rise to tumors. The dermis environment strongly differs from that of tissues in which tumors form in the patients and is poor in signals important for tumors to develop. In contrast, the embryonal tissues are rich in signals, different from one tissue to the other one, which ensure their building. The same signals will mediate tissue renewal at adulthood.
Thus, tumoral cells can recognize these signals in the embryo and exploit them to proliferate and disseminate. By selecting the tissue in which tumors will form, we confront tumoral cells to an environment which evokes that of their site of origin in the patient. This makes it our model powerful to generate tumors in an optimal range of time. Delloye-Bourgeois et al., Cancer Cell, 2017; Berget et al, Journal of Clinical Oncology 2020
Do you know that …
The chicken embryo is a model widely used to study human physiology and diseases ?
Advantages on existing PDX models
Avi-PDX™ model
FAST
Tumoral masses in 48h, Metastasis in 2 to 7 days
STATISTICAL ANALYSIS
One patient/ series of standard replicas
REPRODUCIBLE ORTHOTOPIC TUMORS
Tumorigenesis targeted in tissues homologous to those of the patients 100% tumor intake from patient samples
EASY ETHIC PROCEDURE, HIGH FLEXIBITY
2013 86/609/EEC rule, no need for protocol approval
EASY SAMPLE ENGINEERING
Reduced biological sample Biobanking
Mouse PDX model
SLOW
Tumors in several weeks to months
Qualitative analysis
One patient/ a few mice
Versatile heterotopic tumors
Highly variable tumor intake Irrelevant tissue environment (subcutaneous site)
Complex ethic procedure, Low flexibility
Protocol approval by Ethic committee
Complex sample engineering
Substantial amount of fresh patient sample
CAM assay in the egg
Graft of tumoral cell lines on chick
chorioallantoid membrane (CAM)
Adapted to cell lines
ex vivo set-up :
Tumors outside the organism (grafting on the external chorioallantoid membrane)
Process in 2 to several weeks
Variability of intake and Heterogeneity of tumor growth
Therapeutic compounds generally infused on top of the tumoral cells
Process of studies by Oncofactory
Each project is managed by a unique scientific contact, in 3 steps:
• Exploratory meetings to precisely define the objectives and the specific requirements
(timetable, budget, scientific and technological issues)
• Customized studies with go/no-go decisions ensuring cost optimization and maximal
flexibility
• Reporting with validated data, statistical analysis and images of each step of imaging
and quantification processes
Our study process also guarantees:
Confidentiality of client information
Flexibility and reactivity
Respect of deadlines
Validated and reproducible standards, in-house experimental models and assays
Total traceability and transparency of the procedures and data
Patient cancer sample supply
Oncofactory established partnerships with key hospitals and clinics specialized in cancer treatment.
Scientific equipments
Oncofactory is equipped with state-of-the-art materials. Moreover, our accomodation in the Neuromyogene Institute allows access to various equipments.
Quality managment :
Studies are conducted following requirements based on the OECD Good Laboratoty Practices, reference ENV/MC/CHEM(98) 17 adopted by Council on 26th November, 1997.
Ethics :
Light ethic procedure with a high flexibility: 2013 86/609/EEC rule, No need for protocol approaval.