CFC (Colony-Forming Cell) Assays

PROVIDED BY REACHBIO

CFC assays are well characterized and validated in vitro assays that can detect an increase or decrease in the frequency of hematopoietic progenitor proliferation and/or changes in differentiation potential in response to stimulatory, inhibitory or toxic agents. This is in sharp contrast to simple proliferation assays, which only provide an aggregate readout of all proliferating cells and cell types within a bulk culture. The FDA and other regulatory authorities are increasingly requesting these types of assays be performed with drug candidates prior to Phase I clinical trials in order to assess the potential hemotoxic liability of the compounds. Since cultures are assessed morphologically by highly trained microscopists, distinct progenitor lineages (myeloid, erythroid and megakaryocytic) can each be discriminated and lineage-specific effects of compounds can be detected. For example, decreases in myeloid colonies (CFU-GM) correlate with clinical neutropenia. Decreases in erythroid colonies (CFU-E and BFU-E) correlate with clinical anemia and decreases in megakaryocyte colonies (CFU-Mk) correlate with thrombocytopenia. If desired, colonies can be individually removed from the semi-solid growth matrix for genomic and/or phenotypic analysis of the (clonal) cell population.

Types of CFC Assays

PROVIDED BY REACHBIO
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Myeloid Progenitor Assay

CFU-GM | Colony-Forming Unit – Granulocyte Macrophage
 
Common Applications:
  • Predict compound-induced neutropenia (myelotoxicity)
  • Predict myelotoxicity of single agents or combination therapies
  • Assess efficacy of myeloid growth factors
  • Study myeloid development and cell biology
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Megakaryocytic Progenitor Assay

CFU-Mk | Colony-Forming Unit – Megakaryocyte
 
Common Applications:
  • Predict compound-induced thrombocytopenia (megakaryocytic toxicity) caused by single agents or combination therapies
  • Study megakaryocytic development
  • Identify TPO (thrombopoietin) Mimetics
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Erythroid Progenitor Assay

BFU-E | Burst-Forming Unit – Erythroid
 
Common Applications:
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Lymphoid Progenitor Assay

CFU-PreB | Colony-Forming Unit – Pre-B Lymphocyte
 
Common Applications:
  • Predict compound-induced lymphotoxicity caused by single agents or combination therapies
  • Study Pre-B cell development and cell biology
  • Available using mouse progenitor cells only
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Mesenchymal Assay

CFU-F | Colony-Forming Unit – Fibroblast
 
Common Applications:
  • Predict compound or radiation induced stromal/microenvironmental toxicity caused by single agents or combination therapies
  • Study mesenchymal cell development and cell biology
  • Evaluate effects of radiation and/or efficacy of radioprotection agents
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Leukemic CFC Assay

CFU-L | Leukemic CFC Assays

While certain leukemic CFCs are morphologically distinct and can be visually distinguished from their normal counterparts, others look very similar to normal CFCs and can be confirmed as cancer CFCs by additional criteria in downstream assays (e.g. cancer cell-specific surface phenotype by flow cytometry, presence of leukemic genetic translocation by FISH analysis and/or other molecular analysis; serial replating ability in secondary CFC assays, etc.).

Did You Know?

Colony Assays are Predictive and Validated

The CFC assay has been found to be particularly valuable at predicting drug-induced neutropenia and myelosuppression and determining maximum tolerated dose (MTD). The CFU-GM assay has been validated by the European Commission for Alternative Methods (ECVAM). The CFU-Mk assay has been prevalidated with support from ECVAM. Multi-drug chemical entities were evaluated that include immunosuppressive compounds, anti-neoplastics, anti-virals and pesticides.

Typical Leukemic Diseases We Work With Include:
  • CML (chronic myeloid leukemia)
  • CLL (chronic lymphocytic leukemia)
  • AML (acute myeloid leukemia)
  • ALL (acute lymphoblastic leukemia)
  • PV (polycythemia vera)
  • MM (multiple myeloma)
  • MDS (myelodysplastic syndrome)
  • AA (aplastic anemia)
  • NHL (Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma), MCL (mantle cell), DLBCL (diffuse-large-B-cell leukemia), and other lymphomas

Please read about our assays for cancer stem cells and leukemic CFCs, or CONTACT US to be put in touch with one of our scientists to discuss your particular needs.

ReachBio Research Labs can perform CFC assays and other hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell assays using cells from multiple species.

Please CONTACT US to learn more about which assays we can perform for your drug candidate(s).