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5618_Real fluorescence microscopic view of mice neuroblastoma cell line

In Vitro Immuno-oncology Services

The success of modern cancer immunotherapies depends on understanding how immune cells interact with tumors and the tumor microenvironment.

Talk to an oncology expert

We provide comprehensive in vitro immuno-oncology services that generate high-quality, translational data to support target validation, lead optimization, mechanism-of-action studies and candidate selection. Our scientists leverage human-relevant cellular models and advanced assay platforms to evaluate immune activation, cell-mediated tumor killing, cytokine responses and immune modulation across multiple therapeutic modalities, including small molecules, and large molecules such as monoclonal antibodies, bispecifics, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), cell therapies and emerging immunotherapies.

By integrating expertise across T-cell, natural killer (NK) cell, dendritic cell and macrophage biology, we help oncology and immuno-oncology drug developers make informed decisions earlier in development and advance promising oncology programs with confidence.

Comprehensive Immuno-Oncology Assay Solutions

Cancer progression and therapeutic response are heavily influenced by interactions between immune cells and the tumor microenvironment. Robust in vitro models provide critical insights into these complex biological mechanisms while enabling efficient screening of novel immunotherapies. We offer a comprehensive portfolio of immuno-oncology assays designed to characterize immune cell function and activation, investigation mechanism of action, support biomarker discovery and translational strategies, and differentiate therapeutic candidates in lead optimization. Our flexible platforms can be adapted to specific targets, therapeutic modalities and research objectives.

Dendritic Cell Assays

Dendritic Cell Assays

Dendritic Cell Assays

Dendritic cells serve as essential antigen-presenting cells that initiate and regulate adaptive immune responses. Assessing dendritic cell function is critical for understanding antigen presentation, immune priming and the effectiveness of immunomodulatory therapies. These assays can help uncover mechanisms influencing immune activation and therapeutic response.

 

Capabilities include:

  • Dendritic cell differentiation and maturation
  • Antigen uptake and presentation studies
  • T-cell priming and activation models
  • Dendritic cell subset characterization

Macrophage Cell Assays

Macrophage Cell Assays

Macrophage Cell Assays

Macrophages play a complex role within the tumor microenvironment, influencing inflammation, immune suppression, tissue remodeling and therapeutic response. Tumor-associated macrophages are increasingly recognized as important targets in immuno-oncology research. Our range of macrophage cell assays provide valuable insight into how therapies modulate adaptive and innate immunity and the broader tumor immune landscape.

Capabilities include:

  • Macrophage  differentiation and polarization assays
  • Phagocytosis assays
  • Phenotypic characterization
  • Antigen presentation and cytokine profiling

Natural Killer Cell Assays

Natural Killer Cell Assays

Natural Killer Cell Assays

Natural killer cells provide rapid anti-tumor responses and play a key role in antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and other innate immune mechanisms. NK-cell assays support evaluation of immune engagement, tumor killing and therapeutic efficacy across a range of oncology applications.


Capabilities include:

  • NK-cell activation assays
  • Cytotoxicity assessments
  • 2D and 3D ADCC evaluation
  • Cytokine and chemokine analysis
  • NK-cell proliferation studies
  • Tumor-killing models

T-cell Assays

T-cell Assays

T-cell Assays

T-cells remain central to many immunotherapeutic strategies, including checkpoint inhibitors, T-cell engagers and adoptive cell therapies. T-cell assays help evaluate immune activation, proliferation, cytokine production, exhaustion and tumor cell killing. T-cell function is a critical determinant of anti-tumor immunity and immunotherapy success. 

Capabilities include:

  • T-cell activation assays
  • Cytokine release profiling
  • T-cell proliferation studies
  • Immune checkpoint evaluation
  • T-cell-mediated tumor killing assays
  • T-cell exhaustion and functional characterization
  • Mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) assays
 

Why Partner With IQVIA Laboratories for Immuno-oncology drug discovery? 

Drug developers need reliable data that supports confident decisions throughout discovery and preclinical development. We combine scientific expertise, translational insight and flexible study design to deliver:

  • Human-relevant in vitro models
  • Deep expertise in immune biology
  • Customized assay development
  • Integrated biomarker strategies
  • High-quality, decision-enabling data
  • Support from target validation through candidate selection
  • Integrated pharmacology studies spanning in vitro assays, in vivo efficacy and pharmacokinetics

Our collaborative approach helps accelerate immunotherapy programs while reducing development risk and improving understanding of therapeutic mechanisms.
5624_Tumour immunofluorescence IHC image of immunotherapy treatment

Frequently Asked Questions
What are in vitro immuno-oncology assays?

In vitro immuno-oncology assays are laboratory-based models used to evaluate how therapeutic candidates influence immune cells, tumor cells and their interactions. These assays help researchers understand mechanisms of action, immune activation and anti-tumor responses before clinical testing.
Why are T-cell assays important in immunotherapy development?

T-cell assays provide insight into immune activation, proliferation, cytokine production and tumor cell killing. They are widely used to evaluate checkpoint inhibitors, T-cell engagers and cellular therapies.
What can NK-cell assays measure?

NK-cell assays evaluate innate immune responses, including cytotoxicity, activation, cytokine secretion and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). These endpoints help assess how effectively therapies stimulate tumor-killing activity. 
How do macrophage assays support immuno-oncology research?

Macrophage assays help researchers understand immune suppression, macrophage polarization, phagocytosis and the influence of tumor-associated macrophages within the tumor microenvironment. These studies can inform therapeutic strategy and biomarker development.
What is the tumor microenvironment and why is it important?

The tumor microenvironment consists of tumor cells, immune cells, stromal cells and signaling molecules that influence disease progression and treatment response. Modeling these interactions in vitro can improve understanding of therapeutic efficacy and mechanisms of resistance.
Can assays be customized for specific targets or therapeutic modalities?

Yes. IQVIA Laboratories can tailor study designs, cell systems and assay endpoints to align with specific targets, drug modalities, biomarkers and development objectives, providing data that addresses your unique scientific questions.