Avatars Identify Genetic Sources of Drug Response.

Using mouse avatars implanted with liver metastases of late-stage colorectal cancers, researchers uncovered mutations in five genes-ERBB2, EGFR, FGFR1, PDGFRA, and MAP2K1-that seem to promote cetuximab resistance. They also found that mutations in IRS2 may boost tumors' vulnerability to anti-EGFR therapy and tested specific therapies in the mice to gauge the drugs' effectiveness.