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Updated: Dec 13, 2025
Author Spotlight: Enhanced Generation of Patient-Derived 3D Organoids for Glioblastoma and Glioma
Published on: January 19, 2024
Rapid Processing and Drug Evaluation in Glioblastoma Patient-Derived Organoid Models with 4D Bioprinted Arrays
Michelle Chadwick1, Chen Yang2, Liqiong Liu1
1Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA.
Abstract:
Glioblastoma is the most common and deadly primary brain malignancy. Despite advances in precision medicine oncology (PMO) allowing the identification of molecular vulnerabilities in glioblastoma, treatment options remain limited, and molecular assays guided by genomic and expression profiling to inform patient enrollment in life-saving trials are lacking. Here, we generate four-dimensional (4D) cell-culture arrays for rapid assessment of drug responses in glioblastoma patient-derived models. The arrays are 3D printed with thermo-responsive shape memory polymer (SMP). Upon heating, the SMP arrays self-transform in time from 3D cell-culture inserts into histological cassettes. We assess the utility of these arrays with glioblastoma cells, gliospheres, and patient derived organoid-like (PDO) models and demonstrate their use with glioblastoma PDOs for assessing drug sensitivity, on-target activity, and synergy in drug combinations. When including genomic and drug testing assays, this platform is poised to offer rapid functional drug assessments for future selection of therapies in PMO.
Insights
Researchers developed novel 4D cell-culture arrays using shape memory polymers for rapid glioblastoma drug response assessment. This technology aids precision medicine oncology by enabling faster, functional drug testing on patient-derived models.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Oncology
- Materials Science
Background:
- Glioblastoma is a lethal brain cancer with limited treatment options.
- Precision medicine oncology (PMO) identifies molecular targets, but functional assays for drug testing are lacking.
- Current methods for assessing drug response in glioblastoma models are time-consuming and complex.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a rapid, 4D cell-culture array system for evaluating drug responses in glioblastoma.
- To create a platform that integrates 3D printing and shape memory polymers for streamlined drug sensitivity testing.
- To enable functional drug assessments for personalized glioblastoma therapy selection.
Main Methods:
- Generation of four-dimensional (4D) cell-culture arrays using thermo-responsive shape memory polymer (SMP).
- 3D printing of SMP arrays that transform from cell culture inserts to histological cassettes upon heating.
- Assessment of drug sensitivity, on-target activity, and synergy using glioblastoma patient-derived organoid-like (PDO) models.
Main Results:
- The 4D SMP arrays successfully facilitated drug response assessments in glioblastoma models.
- The system demonstrated utility in evaluating drug sensitivity, on-target activity, and synergistic drug combinations.
- The transformation of arrays into histological cassettes enables efficient downstream analysis.
Conclusions:
- The 4D cell-culture array platform offers a rapid and efficient method for functional drug assessment in glioblastoma.
- This technology has the potential to accelerate therapeutic selection in precision medicine oncology for brain tumors.
- The integrated approach of 3D printing and functional assays can improve patient outcomes for glioblastoma.
