# Protocol for establishing a chemoresistant orthotopic triple-negative breast cancer patient-derived xenograft model for preclinical drug testing

**Authors:** David Tébar-García, Rosa Barbella-Aponte, Esther Sánchez-López, Maria G. Picazo-Martínez, Mónica Gómez-Juárez, Ángela Díaz-Piqueras, Alejandro Pinedo-Serrano, Paula Sánchez-Olivares, Raquel López-Rosa, Pablo Cristobal-Cueto, Verónica Rodilla, Eva M. Galán-Moya

PMC · DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2026.104394 · STAR Protocols · 2026-03-02

## TL;DR

This paper describes a protocol for creating chemoresistant breast cancer mouse models to test new treatments.

## Contribution

A detailed protocol for establishing chemoresistant triple-negative breast cancer patient-derived xenograft models.

## Key findings

- Orthotopic implantation preserves tumor identity and resistance phenotype.
- Serial passaging maintains chemoresistance across generations.
- Models enable preclinical testing of novel therapeutic strategies.

## Abstract

Here, we present a protocol for establishing patient-derived xenograft (PDX) mouse models of chemoresistant triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). We describe steps for tumor collection, surgical implantation, and serial expansion. We then detail procedures for histopathological validation and in vivo therapeutic assessment to confirm the maintenance of chemoresistance across passages. These models provide a clinically relevant platform to investigate mechanisms of treatment resistance, evaluate novel therapeutic strategies in preclinical settings, and predict therapeutic responses in refractory TNBC.

•Establishment of chemoresistant TNBC patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models•Orthotopic implantation into the mammary fat pad of immunodeficient NSG mice•Serial passaging to preserve tumor identity and treatment resistance•Preclinical drug evaluation maintaining tumor biology and resistance phenotype

Establishment of chemoresistant TNBC patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models

Orthotopic implantation into the mammary fat pad of immunodeficient NSG mice

Serial passaging to preserve tumor identity and treatment resistance

Preclinical drug evaluation maintaining tumor biology and resistance phenotype

Publisher’s note: Undertaking any experimental protocol requires adherence to local institutional guidelines for laboratory safety and ethics.

Here, we present a protocol for establishing patient-derived xenograft (PDX) mouse models of chemoresistant triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). We describe steps for tumor collection, surgical implantation, and serial expansion. We then detail procedures for histopathological validation and in vivo therapeutic assessment to confirm the maintenance of chemoresistance across passages. These models provide a clinically relevant platform for investigating mechanisms of treatment resistance, preclinical testing of novel therapeutic strategies, and predicting therapeutic responses in refractory TNBC.

## Linked entities

- **Diseases:** triple-negative breast cancer (MONDO:0005494)
- **Species:** Mus musculus (taxon 10090)

## Full-text entities

- **Genes:** ERBB2 (erb-b2 receptor tyrosine kinase 2) [NCBI Gene 2064] {aka CD340, HER-2, HER-2/neu, HER2, MLN 19, MLN-19}, EREG (epiregulin) [NCBI Gene 2069] {aka EPR, ER, Ep}, Ptger1 (prostaglandin E receptor 1 (subtype EP1)) [NCBI Gene 19216] {aka EP1, Ptgerep1}, PGR (progesterone receptor) [NCBI Gene 5241] {aka NR3C3, PR}, Mib1 (MIB E3 ubiquitin protein ligase 1) [NCBI Gene 225164] {aka DIP-1, E430019M12Rik, Mib, mindbomb}, ESR1 (estrogen receptor 1) [NCBI Gene 2099] {aka ER, ESR, ESRA, ESTRR, Era, NR3A1}, Esr1 (estrogen receptor 1 (alpha)) [NCBI Gene 13982] {aka ER, ER-alpha, ERa, ERalpha, ESR, Estr}, Alb (albumin) [NCBI Gene 11657] {aka Alb-1, Alb1, BCL001, BCL002, BPL001}
- **Diseases:** bleeding (MESH:D006470), inflammatory (MESH:D007249), pain (MESH:D010146), opportunistic infections (MESH:D009894), Cancer (MESH:D009369), TNBC (MESH:D064726), Breast tumors (MESH:D001943), hypersensitivity (MESH:D004342), Necrotic (MESH:D009336), tissue injury (MESH:D017695), immunodeficient (MESH:D007153), skin ulceration (MESH:D012883), infection (MESH:D007239), PDX (MESH:C536408), dehydration (MESH:D003681), toxicity (MESH:D064420)
- **Chemicals:** water (MESH:D014867), cyclophosphamide (MESH:D003520), ethanol (MESH:D000431), Amoxicillin (MESH:D000658), platinum (MESH:D010984), paraffin (MESH:D010232), oxygen (MESH:D010100), anthracycline (MESH:D018943), P/ (MESH:D010758), paclitaxel (MESH:D017239), nitrogen (MESH:D009584), xylene (MESH:D014992), streptomycin (MESH:D013307), ciprofloxacin (MESH:D002939), bupivacaine (MESH:D002045), sevoflurane (MESH:D000077149), eosin (MESH:D004801), PBS (MESH:D007854), formaldehyde (MESH:D005557), S (MESH:D013455), H&amp;E (MESH:D006371), phenol-red (MESH:D010637), DMEM (-), penicillin (MESH:D010406), hematoxylin (MESH:D006416), dexamethasone (MESH:D003907), amphotericin (MESH:D000666)
- **Species:** Mus musculus (house mouse, species) [taxon 10090], Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]
- **Mutations:** C-25 C

## Full text

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## Figures

4 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12969394/full.md

## References

5 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12969394/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12969394