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Analytical Assays For Endpoint Data Collection

Flow Cytometry Services

State-of-the-art high-complexity flow cytometry throughout all stages of drug development.

At Champions Oncology, we offer an extensive range of flow cytometry services tailored to support your research. From custom flow panel design to fit-for-purpose validation, we provide specialized assays that deliver deep insights into immune response and tumor interaction. By leveraging both conventional and spectral cytometry technology, we help streamline complex flow cytometry studies in oncology, immuno-oncology, and hematology applications. 

Overview

Industry Leader in Complex Flow Cytometry Solutions

Flow Cytometry is a powerful analytical tool to evaluate, assess, and quantify complex responses and critical phenotypical changes. With significant advances in the development of drugs modulating the immune system, Champions' preclinical flow cytometry services are implemented using fully optimized and validated panels, developed to be efficiently customizable to meet your needs: 

Champions offers full custom development of multi-parameter panels

Industry best timelines featuring expedited development and optimization to meet your milestones

Operational expertise with quality assurance and the highest regulatory compliance for preclinical research

Ideally positioned to provide meaningful insights for your preclinical studies

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Advanced Preclinical Flow Cytometry with Custom Panel Development

Champions uses flow cytometry in most preclinical oncology studies to characterize tumors and quantitatively measure relevant phenotypical changes associated with drug responses in immune-competent models including syngeneic and humanized mice and ex -vivo co-culture systems. 

We provide our off-the-shelf panels or custom flow cytometry panel design. We can also transfer your in-house developed panels to be executed in our labs at Champions, saving you time and resources. 

Champions has expertise in several sample types as well as experience working with different species, such as mice, rats, rabbits, non-human primate (NHP), and human samples.

Study Design

Where Flow Cytometry Fits in Your Study Design

Flow cytometry adds the most value when your study depends on knowing not just whether a treatment worked, but which cells changed and how. Here's where flow most often belongs in the study design:
Study TypeWhy Flow Cytometry MattersWhat We Offer
AML in vivo modelsBone marrow engraftment and disease burden are best measured directly, since peripheral blood doesn't reliably reflect what's happening in the marrow. Engraftment panels ranging from a basic screen to deeper immune characterization.
Ex vivo co-culture Flow is typically the primary readout for cell killing, and can confirm target expression directly within the culture system. Co-culture killing and target-expression panels.
Humanized models (CD34 / PBMC) Flow serves two roles here: confirming successful humanization before dosing, and characterizing immune cell populations after treatment. Humanized T-cell, myeloid, and NK panels, from basic phenotyping to deeper characterization.
ADC studies Target expression and receptor occupancy, measured by flow, are central to understanding how an antibody-drug conjugate engages its target. Target-engagement panels tailored to your ADC.
T-cell engager / bispecific / immuno-oncology studies Flow serves two roles here: confirming successful humanization before dosing, and characterizing immune cell populations after treatment. T-cell killing and co-culture panels.
Solid-tumor PDX studies (including radiolabeled studies) In immunodeficient host models, flow focuses on tumor target expression rather than immune profiling, since these hosts lack a full immune system. Custom-scoped panels, developed with our flow team around your specific target and study design.

If your study touches one of these areas, our scientists can help you determine whether flow cytometry belongs on your protocol from the start.

Best in Class

Our Instrumentation

Every flow cytometry study is matched to the instrument best suited to its complexity, from high-throughput conventional cytometry to full-spectrum analysis across 40 or more parameters. Our lab runs both conventional and spectral platforms side by side, so a panel is built around the biology you need to resolve, not the limits of a single machine. 

BD FacSymphony:

5-laser, 24-color conventional flow cytometer, suited to high-throughput immunophenotyping

Cytek Northern Lights:

3-laser, 30-color full-spectrum cytometer, for expanded panel designs beyond conventional cytometry's limits

Cytek Aurora:

5-laser, 40+ color full-spectrum cytometer, for the highest-complexity panels and deepest immune profiling

Throughput of up to 400 samples per day, tissue dependent

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Testimonials

“We are thoroughly impressed with Champions Oncology's flow cytometry services. Their experts have delivered clear, actionable results that have significantly accelerated our research progress.”

Directory of Oncology, Biotech Company

“Their custom analysis and high-quality results have greatly enhanced our ability to study complex cell populations and validate our therapeutic targets.”

Translational Medicine Scientist, Pharmaceutical Company

Timeline

What you receive, and when

We know timelines matter for your study. Here's what you can expect to receive, and when:
StageWhat You ReceiveTypical Timeline
Raw DataUnmodified .fcs files, delivered as soon as acquisition is complete Approximately 48 hours
Standard analysis Gated populations, cytograms, and summary graphs Approximately 3 weeks (recent studies have averaged closer to 2)
Expedited analysis The same deliverables as standard analysis, on an accelerated timeline Approximately 5 business days (expedite fee applies)
Formal report A complete written report Aligned with your study's other end-of-study reports
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Get started

Speak to an expert

Accelerate your research with cutting-edge flow cytometry services from our expert team. Whether you require a custom flow panel or a highly specific T cell activation flow cytometry assays, Champions Oncology is equipped with the latest technologies and expertise to provide tailored, high-quality results. Reach out now to discuss how we can assist in advancing your research goals.

Resources

Explore Our Resources

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

 Flow cytometry is a powerful analytical tool used in oncology to measure and analyze multiple phenotypic characteristics of cells as they flow in a fluid stream through a laser. It is widely used in oncology for diagnosing and classifying cancers, particularly hematological malignancies like leukemia and lymphoma. Flow cytometry helps identify specific cell populations based on surface markers, assess cell proliferation, determine apoptosis and cell death, and detect minimal residual disease (MRD). It is also instrumental in evaluating the immune profile of tumors and monitoring disease progression or response to therapy.  

Flow cytometry services can greatly enhance in vivo models by providing detailed, quantitative analysis of cell populations within tissues or blood samples. These services enable the assessment of immune cell infiltration in tumors, characterization of circulating tumor cells, and monitoring of immune responses in preclinical models. By analyzing cells from in vivo models, flow cytometry can offer insights into the efficacy of therapeutic interventions, such as the activation or suppression of specific immune cell types, thus aiding in the development of cancer therapies. 

  1. Sample Preparation: Cells are harvested, counted, and often labeled with fluorescently conjugated antibodies that target specific markers.

  2. Fixing: Cells are fixed with formaldehyde to preserve structure and keep markers intact.

  3. Permeabilization: Required prior to staining for detection of intracellular cytokines.

  4. Blocking: Block for Fc receptors to prevent background stain uptake; block cytokine secretion with Brefeldin A and/or Monensin when measuring intracellular cytokines.

  5. Staining: Prepared cells are incubated with chosen antibodies or dyes, alongside negative and positive controls.

  6. Data Acquisition: Stained cells pass through the flow cytometer; lasers excite fluorophores and detectors measure emitted light.

  7. Data Analysis: Data are processed with specialized software to identify cell populations, marker expression, and viability.

Flow cytometry plays a crucial role in monitoring treatment response in cancer by allowing for detailed analysis of how cancer cells and the immune system respond to therapy. It can detect changes in cell populations, such as the reduction of cancer cells or the activation of immune cells, in response to treatments like chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or targeted therapies. Flow cytometry also enables the detection of minimal residual disease (MRD). 

Flow cytometry is extensively used in immuno-oncology research to analyze the immune landscape within tumors and the systemic immune response to cancer. It allows researchers to identify and quantify different immune cell populations, within the tumor microenvironment or peripheral blood, and to assess expression of immune checkpoint molecules, cytokines, and other activation/suppression markers. 

Champions runs both conventional and spectral flow cytometry platforms, so each panel is matched to the instrument best suited to its complexity. Our BD FacSymphony is a 5-laser, 24-color conventional cytometer suited to high-throughput immunophenotyping. Our Cytek Northern Lights (3-laser, 30-color) and Cytek Aurora (5-laser, 40+ color) are full-spectrum cytometers used for expanded and high-complexity panel designs. Together, these platforms support throughput of up to 400 samples per day, tissue dependent. 

Timelines depend on the stage of analysis you need. Raw, unmodified .fcs files are typically available within 48 hours of acquisition. Standard analysis, including gated populations, cytograms, and summary graphs, generally takes about 3 weeks, with recent studies averaging closer to 2. An expedited option is available for results in approximately 5 business days, and a formal written report follows on a timeline aligned with your study's other end-of-study reports.