Developmental Therapeutics Core

The Developmental Therapeutics Core (DTC) provides a full suite of services for in vitro and in vivo studies, including testing in over 150 cancer cell lines and a wide range of in vivo tumor models. These include syngeneic, humanized, and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models, supporting both immunocompetent and human-relevant cancer studies. Longitudinal tumor monitoring is enhanced by the Biopticon automated tumor volume analyzer, enabling high-precision and reproducible measurements.

DTC also supports exploratory pharmacokinetics, toxicology, and multiplex cytokine/biomarker assays, offering investigators critical insights into drug behavior and mechanism of action. Core staff provide expert guidance on model selection, study design, IACUC preparation, surgical procedures, drug administration, and outcome assessment.

With its integrated platform for translational science, the DTC enables investigators to generate robust preclinical data that can drive decision-making in early-stage drug development. The Core’s expertise in oncology models, surgical techniques, and biomarker discovery makes it a valuable partner in high-impact, interdisciplinary research. As the needs of the Northwestern University research community evolve, DTC continues to expand its capabilities to support novel therapeutic approaches and accelerate the path from discovery to clinical implementation.