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Updated: Sep 21, 2025
Author Spotlight: Establishment of Pancreatic Cancer-Derived Tumor Organoids and Fibroblasts From Fresh Tissue
Published on: May 26, 2023
Application of Patient-Derived Cancer Organoids to Personalized Medicine
Masahiro Shiihara1, Toru Furukawa1
1Department of Investigative Pathology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8575, Japan.
Abstract:
Cell models are indispensable for the research and development of cancer therapies. Cancer medications have evolved with the establishment of various cell models. Patient-derived cell lines are very useful for identifying characteristic phenotypes and susceptibilities to anticancer drugs as well as molecularly targeted therapies for tumors. However, conventional 2-dimensional (2D) cell cultures have several drawbacks in terms of engraftment rate and phenotypic changes during culture. The organoid is a recently developed in vitro model with cultured cells that form a three-dimensional structure in the extracellular matrix. Organoids have the capacity to self-renew and can organize themselves to resemble the original organ or tumor in terms of both structure and function. Patient-derived cancer organoids are more suitable for the investigation of cancer biology and clinical medicine than conventional 2D cell lines or patient-derived xenografts. With recent advances in genetic analysis technology, the genetic information of various tumors has been clarified, and personalized medicine based on genetic information has become clinically available. Here, we have reviewed the recent advances in the development and application of patient-derived cancer organoids in cancer biology studies and personalized medicine. We have focused on the potential of organoids as a platform for the identification and development of novel targeted medicines for pancreatobiliary cancer, which is the most intractable cancer.
Insights
Patient-derived cancer organoids offer a superior 3D model for studying cancer biology and developing personalized medicine. These advanced models overcome limitations of traditional cell cultures for drug discovery, especially for intractable cancers.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Biotechnology
- Genomics
Background:
- Traditional 2D cell cultures present limitations in cancer research, including engraftment issues and phenotypic drift.
- Patient-derived cell lines have aided in identifying drug susceptibilities but still fall short of in vivo accuracy.
- The advent of organoid technology offers a more physiologically relevant in vitro model for cancer studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in patient-derived cancer organoids for cancer biology and personalized medicine.
- To highlight the potential of organoids as a platform for novel targeted medicine development.
- To focus on organoids for pancreatobiliary cancer, a particularly challenging malignancy.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on patient-derived cancer organoids.
- Analysis of organoid applications in cancer biology and personalized medicine.
- Focus on organoid utility for drug discovery in pancreatobiliary cancer.
Main Results:
- Patient-derived cancer organoids more accurately mimic tumor structure and function compared to 2D cultures.
- Organoids show promise in overcoming limitations of conventional cell models for drug screening.
- Recent genetic insights into tumors enhance the utility of organoids for personalized medicine.
Conclusions:
- Patient-derived cancer organoids represent a significant improvement over traditional cell lines for cancer research.
- Organoids are a powerful platform for advancing personalized medicine and developing targeted therapies.
- Further research into organoids, particularly for intractable cancers like pancreatobiliary cancer, is crucial.
