NCI picks ATCC to distribute tancer models for supporting human cancer models initiative

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) awarded ATCC, a global player in biological materials management and standards, a contract to distribute a new generation of cancer models under the Human Cancer Models Initiative (HCMI).

Launched in July 2016, the HCMI is an international collaboration between The National Cancer Institute (NCI), Cancer Research UK, the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, and the foundation Hubrecht Organoid Technology, to develop approximately 1,000 cancer cell models that better represent the hallmarks and diversity of human cancer. This initiative leverages prior NCI-funded research to establish protocols for developing these next-generation cancer models.

Under the contract, ATCC will develop the infrastructure to support the intake, authentication, production, quality control, marketing, and distribution of an initial subset of the cancer models, paving the way for the larger collection.

The new models will be generated using tumor tissue from patients with a variety of cancer types, including rare and pediatric cancers, and will include a complete genetic analysis and anonymized clinical information about the patients and their tumors, including their response to treatment.

“ATCC has been supporting cancer research for more than 50 years,” said Dr. Mindy Goldsborough, ATCC Chief Science and Technology Officer. “We are honored to support The National Cancer Institute with this important initiative. These new models could transform how we study cancer, including how the disease progresses and develops drug resistance, and help guide the development of new cancer therapies for the millions living with and affected by cancer worldwide.”