Human Cancer Models Initiative launches global tumor research resource

The Human Cancer Models Initiative (HCMI) has launched a new international resource providing the scientific community with hundreds of patient-derived tumor models to advance oncology research.

Funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and involving the National Cancer Institute (NCI), Cancer Research UK, the Wellcome Sanger Institute, and Hubrecht Organoid Technology, the project includes 665 next-generation models. These models represent 25 different tumor types and are linked to data from 2,780 donors. The collection utilizes organoids, neurospheres, and other cellular systems designed to preserve the biological characteristics, molecular profiles, and behaviors of original human tumors.

By making these models and associated data publicly accessible, the initiative aims to facilitate precision oncology and study how tumors grow, evolve, and develop resistance to treatments. The initiative emphasizes open research, allowing scientists worldwide to share hypotheses and results using the same high-quality materials, thereby accelerating the study of both common and rare cancers.