Mouse Models of Human Cancer Database

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
The laboratory mouse is the preeminent animal model system for investigation into the biology and genetics of
human cancer. Mouse models have provided key insights into cancer susceptibility, the molecular genetics of
tumor suppressor and oncogenes, and therapy response in pre-clinical and co-clinical studies. Human tumors
engrafted into immune compromised and humanized mice (aka, Patient Derived Xenografts) are playing an
increasingly important role as a powerful preclinical platform for testing new cancer treatments.
The Mouse Models of Human Cancer (MMHC) database is a unique on-line compendium of mouse models for
human cancer. MMHCdb provides electronic access to expertly curated and harmonized information on
diverse mouse models for human cancer along with tools for accessing and visualizing associated data from
these models. This in turn, facilitates the selection of appropriate strains of mice for cancer genetics research.
MMHCdb integrates data derived from peer-reviewed literature and from direct submissions from researchers.
Data in MMHCdb are also obtained from other bioinformatics resources including PathBase, HUGO Human
Gene Nomenclature database, the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO), and ArrayExpress.
In this proposal we describe our plans for the continued development of MMHCdb with an emphasis on
expanded support for analysis of tumor genomic data and drug response data from Patient Derived Xenograft
models. To accomplish these goals we will build on successful collaborations to develop data standards for
PDX models that are now widely adopted. The major goals for the project renewal include the following:
· continue to populate MMHCdb with data on strain-specific patterns of tumorigenesis in inbred, mutant, and
genetically engineered mice,
· leverage collaborations with Seven Bridges and PDXNet to analyze genomic data for PDX models using a
common analysis pipeline,
· develop a platform for the analysis of PDX genomic and drug response data, and
· support the infrastructure of MMHCdb and our user community through ongoing database maintenance,
development of new software components, user support services, and community outreach activities.

Grant Number: 5R01CA089713-23
NIH Institute/Center: NIH
Principal Investigator: CAROL BULT