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Patient-Derived Lung Tumoroids-An Emerging Technology in Drug Development and Precision Medicine
Hélène Lê1,2, Joseph Seitlinger1,3, Véronique Lindner1,3
1INSERM (French National Institute of Health and Medical Research), UMR 1260, Regenerative Nanomedicine, CRBS, 1 Rue Eugène Boeckel, 67000 Strasbourg, France.
Abstract:
Synthetic 3D multicellular systems derived from patient tumors, or tumoroids, have been developed to complete the cancer research arsenal and overcome the limits of current preclinical models. They aim to represent the molecular and structural heterogeneity of the tumor micro-environment, and its complex network of interactions, with greater accuracy. They are more predictive of clinical outcomes, of adverse events, and of resistance mechanisms. Thus, they increase the success rate of drug development, and help clinicians in their decision-making process. Lung cancer remains amongst the deadliest of diseases, and still requires intensive research. In this review, we analyze the merits and drawbacks of the current preclinical models used in lung cancer research, and the position of tumoroids. The introduction of immune cells and healthy regulatory cells in autologous tumoroid models has enabled their application to most recent therapeutic concepts. The possibility of deriving tumoroids from primary tumors within reasonable time has opened a direct approach to patient-specific features, supporting their future role in precision medicine.
Insights
Tumoroids, 3D models of patient tumors, offer a more accurate preclinical cancer research tool. These advanced models improve drug development success and aid clinical decisions, especially for lung cancer.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Biotechnology
- Translational Medicine
Background:
- Current preclinical cancer models have limitations in representing tumor heterogeneity and micro-environment interactions.
- Lung cancer research urgently needs more predictive and accurate preclinical models.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the merits and drawbacks of existing preclinical models for lung cancer research.
- To evaluate the position and potential of tumoroids as an advanced preclinical model.
- To discuss the role of tumoroids in precision medicine and novel therapeutic strategies.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of existing literature on preclinical cancer models, focusing on lung cancer.
- Evaluation of tumoroid technology, including their development and application.
- Review of studies incorporating immune and regulatory cells into tumoroid models.
Main Results:
- Tumoroids better recapitulate tumor molecular and structural heterogeneity and micro-environment interactions.
- Tumoroids demonstrate higher predictability for clinical outcomes, adverse events, and resistance mechanisms compared to traditional models.
- Incorporation of immune cells enhances tumoroid applicability to current therapeutic concepts.
Conclusions:
- Tumoroids represent a significant advancement in preclinical cancer research, offering greater accuracy and predictive power.
- The ability to derive patient-specific tumoroids rapidly supports their future role in precision medicine for lung cancer.
- Tumoroids enhance drug development success rates and aid clinical decision-making.
