Solutions for Detection of Apoptosis in Oncology Xenograft Models
Posted on: September 24, 2025
This is an archived edition of our email newsletter.
At DiaPharma, we specialize in biomarker assays designed to advance oncology research. One of the hallmarks of cancer is the evasion of apoptosis by tumor cells—making the detection of cellular death, especially apoptosis, a critical readout in the evaluation of anti-cancer therapies.
Xenograft models are widely used in oncology research to study cancer therapies in vivo. However, methods for evaluating the effect of potential drug candidates on tumor growth—such as volume measurements, imaging, or immunohistochemical staining—are often imprecise, expensive, technically demanding, or require sacrificing the xenograft host.
An alternative is the M30 Apoptosense® ELISA*.
What is the M30 Apoptosense® ELISA?
This blood-based biomarker assay utilizes the M30® antibody which specifically detects a caspase-cleaved fragment of cytokeratin 18 (CK18), a cytoskeletal protein expressed in epithelial cells and cleaved by caspases early during apoptosis. The cleaved CK18 fragment (ccK18) is released into the bloodstream, and its concentration in serum or plasma measured with the M30 Apoptosense® ELISA correlates with the extent of epithelial cell apoptosis.
Why choose the M30 Apoptosense® ELISA for use with your xenograft model?
- The M30® antibody is highly specific for human ccK18 and does not cross-react with murine proteins, enabling precise detection of apoptosis of human tumor cells with xenograft models.
- Minimally invasive blood sampling allows for longitudinal assessment of treatment response.
- The assay provides sensitive, quantitative measurements to evaluate dose- and time-dependent effects of potential drug candidates.
- Incorporating the M30® biomarker offers a robust, translational tool to strengthen efficacy assessments — particularly valuable for bridging preclinical findings to clinical applications.
We would be happy to provide more detailed information tailored to your research. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Scientists or your local DiaPharma Territory Manager.
*For research use only in US and Canada. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.