Objective The value of cell lines for pre-clinical work lies in choosing those with similar characteristics. Selection of cell lines is typically based on patient history, histological subtype at diagnosis, mutation patterns, or signaling pathways. Although recent studies established consensus regarding molecular characteristics of ovarian cancer cell lines, data on in vivo tumorigenicity remains only sporadically available, impeding translation of in vitro work to xenograft models. Methods We introduced 18 ovarian cancer cell lines into athymic nude mice through subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, and ovary intrabursal routes, and observed tumor development over 6 weeks. We also profiled cell line gene expression and identified differentially expressed gene sets based on their ability to form tumors in the subcutaneous or intraperitoneal locations. Representative cell lines were further subjected to proteomic analyses. Results Ovarian cancer cell lines showed variable ability to grow in mice when implanted subcutaneous, intraperitoneal, or intrabursal. While some cell lines grew well in both SC and IP locations, others showed a strong propensity to grow in one location only. Gene expression profiles suggested that cell lines showing preference for IP growth had gene expression patterns more similar to primary tumors. Conclusions We report the tumorigenicity of 17 human ovarian cancer cell lines and one mouse cell line in three distinct anatomical locations, and associated gene networks. Growth patterns and histopathology, linked to molecular characteristics, provide a valuable resource to the research community, and better guide the choice of cell lines for in vitro studies to translate efficiently into xenograft testing.

Background Inhibitors of Apoptosis Proteins (IAPs) are key regulators of apoptosis, and are frequently dysregulated in ovarian cancer. We hypothesized that blocking IAPs with birinapant would increase tumor cell death resulting in objective response for women with platinum-refractory and resistant ovarian cancer. Methods In this phase II CTEP-sponsored study, patients received birinapant 47mg/m2 on days 1, 8, 15 of 28-day cycles. Pharmacokinetics were obtained in cycle 1. Plasma, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and percutaneous tumor biopsies were collected prior to cycle 1, and after 6 weeks. The primary endpoint was objective response or progression-free survival lasting greater than 6 months in a mini-max design. Results Eleven patients received birinapant, after which accrual was terminated for lack of clinical benefit. Birinapant was well-tolerated, with predominantly grade 2 adverse events (AE) and one grade 3 lymphopenia. Pre-treatment biopsies and PBMCs were collected; paired post-treatment biopsies and PBMC were collected from 7 and 10 patients, respectively. There was consistent downregulation of cIAP1 in tumor (P=0.016) and PBMC (P<0.01). Pro-caspase3 also decreased in tumors (P=0.031) and PBMC (P<0.01); cleaved caspase3 co-localized with gamma-H2AX in tumors after birinapant exposure. Peripheral T- and B-cells decreased significantly post-treatment, but NK-cells did not (P=0.04, P=0.05, P=0.43 respectively). Conclusion Birinapant shows consistent target suppression in vivo, without single agent anti-tumor activity in this small population. Single agent pharmacodynamics were necessary to understand drug mechanism of action and set the stage for rational combination therapy. Preclinical studies are ongoing to identify optimal synergistic combinations for future clinical trials.