Characterisation and use of orthotopically grownHapT1tumours in its homologous host as a preclinical model to evaluate novel drugs against desmoplastic pancreatic cancer

The major objective of this study was to characterise theHapT1 orthotopic hamster pancreatic tumor as a preclinical model of desmoplastic pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma; and use this model to validate the efficacy of drugs that kills activated pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs)in vitro. Experimentaldesign: Commercially procured HapT1 pancreatic cancer (PCA) cell line was implanted in the pancreas of its syngeneic host, Syrian golden hamster (Mesocricetusauratus). After certain time period the primary and secondary tumors were harvested for histological andimmunophynotypical analysis. PSCs of hamsters were harvested, cultured and characterised. The in-cultured activated rodent PSCs and commercially procured human PSCs were used to check the cytotoxic effect of Disulfiram (DSF) in presence and absence of copper (Cu )in vitro. Finally, theHapT1 orthotopic tumor model was used to check the efficacy of DSF in vivo.