Patient-derived xenografts as in vivo models for research in urological malignancies

Lack of appropriate models that recapitulate the complexity and heterogeneity of urological tumours precludes most of the preclinical reagents that enter clinical trials from achieving regulatory approvalPatient-derived xenograft (PDX) models are characterized by direct engraftment of patient-derived tumour fragments into immunocompromised mice, improving preservation of the identity of the original tumoursUse of urological tumour PDX models for analysing tumour biology and, more importantly, in drug development has increasedSeveral agents targeting immune systems have shown promising results in kidney and bladder cancer, but they require PDX models established in mice with an intact immune system to trigger an immune response to the tumourInternational collaboration for sharing PDX models is a requisite for improving patient outcomes.