Other Forms of Cancer

Pharma Models LLC runs many different cancer human tumor xenograft models, and although the most common forms of cancer in the US – lung, breast, prostate and colorectal, attract the most attention, rarer forms of cancer still affect hundreds of thousands of people worldwide each year and result in tens of thousands of deaths, even within the US. These rare cancer indications may present attractive targets for pharmaceutical development, as they have received less attention than the more prevalent forms of cancer.

Melanoma

Melanoma is a cancer of melanocytes, the pigment producing cells of the skin. Melanoma represents 4.6% of all cancers diagnosed within the US, accounting for 76,000 cases per year and almost 10,000 deaths. The number of cases of melanoma has more than doubled in the past 49 years and continues to rise at approximately 2% annually.

Risk factors for melanoma are almost entirely related to pale skin color and sunburns, although exposure to some pesticides has also been identified as a melanoma risk.

Figure 1: Representative Growth Curves for Three Human Melanoma Cell Lines. Nude mice were implanted subcutaneously with 1×10⁷ cells on Day 0, and the resulting tumors measured three times per week.

Figure 2: Representative Growth Curves for the B16 Melanoma Cell Line. C57/B6 mice were implanted subcutaneously with 1×10⁶ cells on Day 0, and the resulting tumors measured three times per week.

Stomach Cancer

There are approximately 22,000 cases of stomach or gastric cancer annually in the US and 11,000 deaths, despite the fact that the incidence of stomach cancer has declined steadily over recent decades. Stomach cancer is more prevalent in eastern Asia (Japan and Korea in particular) and Latin America (Guatemala and Costa Rica have the highest rates), as well as parts of Eastern Europe. There are 950,000 cases of stomach cancer worldwide each year and approximately 700,000 deaths.

Figure 3: Representative Growth Curves for Three Human Stomach Cancer Cell Lines. Nude mice were implanted subcutaneously with 1×10⁷ cells on Day 0, and the resulting tumors measured three times per week.

Bladder Cancer

Cancer of the urinary bladder causes 165,000 deaths worldwide each year and there are an estimated 430,000 new cases diagnosed. 59% of bladder cancer occurs in developed countries, predominantly Europe and North America. In the US, there are 75,000 new cases of bladder cancer each year and 15,500 deaths, with a 5-year survival of 77%. Risk factors include smoking and occupational exposure to certain chemicals.

Figure 4: Representative Growth Curves for Three Human Bladder Cancer Cell Lines. Nude mice were implanted subcutaneously with 1×10⁷ cells on Day 0, and the resulting tumors measured three times per week. TCC= Transitional cell carcinoma.

Renal Cancer

There are 64,000 new cases of kidney or renal cancer diagnosed each year in the US, with 14,000 deaths attributed to renal cancer. Worldwide there are 338,000 cases each year and approximately 116,000 deaths. Risk factors for kidney cancer are smoking and obesity as well as a number of relatively rare hereditary conditions.

Figure 5: Representative Growth Curves for a Human Renal Cell Line. Nude mice were implanted subcutaneously with 1×10⁷ cells on Day 0, and the resulting tumors measured three times per week.

Head and Neck Cancer

Head and neck cancer covers all cancers of the oral cavity, including the larynx, pharynx, salivary glands, paranasal sinus, and nasal cavity. It represents a large number of different cancers that are generally derived from squamous epithelial cells that line the cavities of this part of the body. There are 550,000 cases of head and neck cancer annually worldwide, and 55,000 cases in the US leading to 12,000 deaths each year. Tobacco and alcohol use are significant risk factors for head and neck cancer, as are several viruses, including human papilloma virus (HPV).

Figure 6: Representative Growth Curves for Three Human Head and Neck Cancer Cell Lines. Nude mice were implanted subcutaneously with 1×10⁷ cells on Day 0, and the resulting tumors measured three times per week. SCC = Squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue.