Annual Report 2024
Section of Experimental Animals
Yoshikatsu Koga, Go Suzuki, Taeko Aruga, Tomoki Shigematsu, Shuichiro Takahashi, Eriko Tajima
Introduction
The basic and translational research undertaken in the Exploratory Oncology Research & Clinical Trial Center (EPOC) and the National Cancer Center Hospital East (NCCHE) is aimed toward future clinical use. To develop anti-cancer drugs based on a novel concept or a novel imaging technology, animal experiments are necessary. In addition to cell line-derived xenograft (CDX) models, the animal facility of the EPOC utilizes spontaneous cancer models using genetically modified mice and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models that reproduce the cancer microenvironment. Furthermore, to develop novel surgical and endoscopic instruments, experiments using pigs are also implemented in the animal facility. The Section of Experimental Animals supports the animal experiments conducted in the EPOC and the NCCHE.
The importance of the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement) in animal testing has been reaffirmed domestically and internationally from the animal welfare perspective. Therefore, our section is developing in vitro evaluation systems, including microphysiological systems (MPS), as an alternative to animal models.
The Team and What We Do
1. Health management of experimental animals and maintenance of animal laboratories
Animal-breeding rooms: specific pathogen-free (SPF) rooms (eight rooms for mice and one room for rats), conventional rooms (one room for mice, one room for rats and rabbits, and one room for pigs), and a P2 animal laboratory.
2. Approval of animal experiments in accordance with the regulations
In FY2024, 52 studies involving animal experiments were approved by the Committee of Experimental Animals.
3. Development of non-clinical models for evaluating various drugs
Our laboratory aims to explore and develop optimal efficacy and toxicity evaluation systems for drug evaluation of various modalities by utilizing various non-clinical models, such as cancer organoids, PDX models, humanized mouse models, and MPS.
Research Activities
We have developed an in vitro MPS with blood vessels with collaborators. Due to the complexity of the mechanisms of action of new therapeutic modalities, the concept of drug delivery system (DDS) is an important key to accurately evaluate their efficacy and safety. We are investigating the efficacy of various anti-cancer drugs, including small molecule drugs, antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates, bispecific antibodies, and CAR-T cells in non-clinical models. Based on the results, we are exploring the optimal in vitro evaluation system for each therapeutic modality as an alternative model to animal models such as PDX models.
Education
All researchers and clinicians who use the animal facilities are required to attend an annual lecture on animal experiments, as outlined in the Guideline for Animal Experiments. In FY2024, 214 researchers or clinicians attended the educational lecture.
Future Prospects
We will continue to provide support to researchers and clinicians through our animal care and management services. Additionally, we will promote the development of the novel MPS for evaluating various therapeutic modalities such as T cell-engaging bispecific antibodies.
List of papers published in 2024
Journal
1. Nakamura R, Tsumura R, Anzai T, Asano R, Yasunaga M. Immunological synapse formation as a key mechanism in T cell dependent bispecific antibody-mediated immune activation and cytotoxicity. Cancer Immunol Immunother, 74:246, 2025
2. Tsumura R, Anzai T, Koga Y, Takashima H, Matsumura Y, Yasunaga M. Anti-tissue factor antibody conjugated with monomethyl auristatin E or deruxtecan in pancreatic cancer models. Cancer science, 115:3986-3996, 2024