
Poster
AACR 2025 Poster
Development of an HLA-matched humanized immune system mouse model with primary AML patient samples for immunotherapy testing
Summary
Champions Oncology, in collaboration with Taconic Biosciences, developed a novel in vivo humanized AML model by co-engrafting primary, never-passaged AML patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) and HLA-matched CD34+ hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) into NOG-EXL mice, which support multilineage immune system reconstitution.
This platform preserves AML’s genetic and clonal heterogeneity, leveraging a library of over 50 deeply characterized patient-derived models. AML progression and immune cell dynamics were longitudinally tracked using custom flow cytometry panels and multi-omic characterization.
Flow cytometry confirmed successful engraftment of both human immune cells (T cells, B cells, NK cells, M2 macrophages) and AML subpopulations (progenitors, blasts, monoblasts), reflecting the immunosuppressive bone marrow microenvironment seen in patients.
The humanized AML model enables robust testing of immuno-oncology therapies—including checkpoint inhibitors and CAR-T cells—in a clinically relevant context, setting a new standard for evaluating immune-based treatments in AML.