The PDX-MI standard
The PDX Minimal Information document represents the results of a broad community effort to develop a standard regarding the essential information needed to describe a PDX model. Under the leadership of our colleagues from EMBL-EBI, this work was published in the dedicated informatics issue of Cancer Research (Nov. 2017) and serves as the basis for the PDX Finder and EurOPDX Data Portal comprehensive search and attribute filtering options (e.g., tumor histology, molecular variant, drug response).
The minimal information standard will be an evolving resource based on community feedback (feedback through the MGI User Support).
Standardising PDX data acquisition
A laboratory information management system called “LAS” (Laboratory Assistant Suite) has been developed by the Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Italy, in collaboration with the EurOPDX Research Infrastructure coordinating partner, University of Torino, and the engineering school of the Politecnico di Torino. LAS is a software dedicated to tracking day-to-day laboratory PDX work, and managing all emerging data. It aims at reducing operator-dependent error in data generation, tracking and storage, by minimising manual data entry through the use of an electronic system based on systematic barcoding, and by guiding the users through dedicated SOPs. The system also allows for the integration of complex multidimensional PDX data, and is amenable for multiuser/multicentre deployment.
LAS is being set-up in all 6 nodes of the EurOPDX Research Infrastructure providing Trans-national Access services, in order to harmonise data acquisition and ensure interoperability. This will also enable automated, continuous tracking of PDX-related procedures and data across the nodes.
Health monitoring procedure
The microbiological status of PDX models directly influences experimental variability and animal welfare. It also imposes a risk to the personnel involved in experimentation. In order to guarantee biosecurity and quality of the PDX samples, and facilitate transfer of samples across centres, a standardised procedure across animal facilities for screening the health status of the models is needed.
As an integral part of the quality assurance system set-up in the frame of the EurOPDX Research Infrastructure (EDIReX EU grant), the present Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) represents a health monitoring program to be established to meet all scientific, legal and welfare requirements.
Our health monitoring assessment SOP covers four procedural levels:
- Level 1 - Health monitoring of the animal facility of origin
- Level 2 - Health monitoring of pre-transfer PDX tissue
- Level 3 - Health monitoring of in vivo PDX tissue for biobanking procedures
- Level 4 - Health monitoring of PDX tissue at the time of an in vivo study