Modeling and characterizing the ischemic tumor metabolic environment

The ischemic tumor microenvironment is thought to play an instrumental role in the malignant progression of cancers. However, metabolic environment within ischemic tumors is poorly understood. We are utilizing two xenograft tumor-based models (rapid xenograft and tumor clamping) to characterize the metabolic changes which occur in tumors following induction of ischemia. Furthermore, we are developing ex vivo models of tumors which can form an ischemic core, which will allow more controlled and tractable methods for exploring the metabolic component of tumor ischemia.