St. Jude scientists create a unique set of models for Wilms tumor research

WAGR patient Carol Larson visits Dr. Murphy and his lab at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee

By modeling a disease in the lab, researchers can test potential treatments. Clinicians can then use the most promising options in clinical trials. St. Jude scientists have created a unique set of models for Wilms tumor research.

Researchers at St Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, created 45 lab models based on patient Wilms tumor samples. The models include diffuse anaplasia, bilateral, and relapsed Wilms tumors. The team studied the biology of these models. They also tested them against chemotherapy. The results in the models mimicked what is seen in patients.

“Wilms tumor is usually very treatable, but there are three subgroups of patients who continue to do poorly,” said Andrew Murphy, MD, of St. Jude Surgery. “We created these models to help us test new therapies and learn more about these high-risk types.”

A report on this work was published in Nature Communications: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-019-13646-9