Discover the latest developments in oncology research with Minerva Imaging at the AACR Annual Meeting 2025 in Chicago. We showcased three posters highlighting key advancements in our oncology models. If you would like a copy of the posters, reach out to Frederikke or Fabian.

HER2-expressing murine cancer model

Targeted radionuclide therapy holds promise in combination with immunotherapy. However, preclinical progress has been limited by the lack of suitable animal models. In this poster, we will present our latest findings on the preclinical evaluation of 161Tb-trastuzumab in combination with immune checkpoint inhibition for the treatment of HER2-expressing tumors. Using a newly developed murine model bearing tumors that express a human target, we assessed the biodistribution, tolerability, and therapeutic efficacy of 161Tb-trastuzumab in conjunction with anti-PD-1 therapy. Additionally, we evaluated systemic immune responses post-treatment using CD8 ImmunoPET imaging with 89Zr-Df-IAB42M1-14 (ImaginAb), and characterized the tumor microenvironment via flow cytometry.

Poster details:

  • Title: Preclinical insights into 161Tb-trastuzumab and immune checkpoint combination therapy for cancer in a HER2-expressing murine cancer model.
  • Authors: Sigrid Cold, Pragalath Sadasivam, Myrto Ischyropoulou, Sakeerthi K. Vinethkanth, Emma Papin, Jacob Hald, Sebastian Gnosa, Trine B. Engel, Lene Jessen, Andreas Kjaer, Carsten H. Nielsen, Lotte K. Kristensen

Sebastian presenting the preclinical insights into 161Tb-trastuzumab and immune checkpoint combination therapy for cancer in a HER2-expressing murine cancer model at the poster session during the AACR 2025.

PDX resistant glioblastoma cell line

Glioblastoma (GBM) is one of the most lethal brain tumors, with current treatments offering limited survival benefits. Patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models have become a critical tool to better understand radioresistant mechanisms and identify novel therapeutic strategies. In this poster, we established and characterized a novel GBM cell line, ST146c, derived from a radiation-resistant PDX model (ST146). This cell line preserves key resistance traits observed in the patient, providing a valuable tool for preclinical research. We performed a mid-throughput drug screen to explore potential therapeutic vulnerabilities in ST146c, followed by in vitro and in vivo analyses. Next, a focused synergy screen involving 40 candidate drugs combined with radiation was performed to identify pathways that could enhance treatment efficacy.

Poster details:

  • Title: Development and characterization of a radiation resistant GBM cell line from PDX for the screening of novel treatment modalities
  • Authors: Sigrid Cold, Jérémy Ariey-Bonnet, Monica Brandt, Rikke Nørgaard Bøge, Emma Papin, Ida Thorøe Michler, Lotte Kellemann Kristensen, Jacob Hald, Michael Wick, Andreas Kjær, Krister Wennerberg, Carsten Haagen Nielsen, Sebastian Gnosa

Sebastian presenting the development and characterization of a radiation resistant GBM cell line from PDX for the screening of novel treatment modalities at the poster session during the AACR 2025.

Breast cancer brain metastasis model  

About 30% of breast cancer patients eventually develop metastases in distant organs. Among these, brain metastases from breast cancer are linked to poor prognosis and high mortality rates. Therefore, there is an urgent need for translatable animal models that can mimic and predict clinical disease and outcomes to improve the success of new anti-cancer therapies. In this study, we generated advanced orthotopic models of breast cancer brain metastasis using three different inoculation methods. Additionally, we optimized imaging protocols to monitor tumor growth, blood-brain barrier permeability, and treatment efficacy in preclinical studies.

 Poster details:

  • Title: Advanced models of breast cancer brain metastasis and imaging protocols for preclinical efficacy studies
  • Authors: Sigrid Cold, Maria Z. Alfsen, Mark U. Juul, Camilla Malec, Camilla Christensen, Michael J. Wick, Lene Jessen, Trine B. Engel, Lotte K. Kristensen, Andreas Kjaer, Carsten H. Nielsen

Carsten presenting the development of advanced models of breast cancer brain metastasis and imaging protocols for preclinical efficacy studies at the poster session during the AACR 2025.

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