Current status and clinical application of patient-derived tumor organoid model in kidney and prostate cancers
1Molecular Pharmacology, OliPass Corporation, Yongin 17015, Korea.
Abstract:
Urological cancers such as kidney, bladder, prostate, and testicular cancers are the most common types of cancers worldwide with high mortality and morbidity. To date, traditional cell lines and animal models have been broadly used to study pre-clinical applications and underlying molecular mechanisms of urological cancers. However, they cannot reflect biological phenotypes of real tissues and clinical diversities of urological cancers in vitro system. In vitro models cannot be utilized to reflect the tumor microenvironment or heterogeneity. Cancer organoids in three-dimensional culture have emerged as a promising platform for simulating tumor microenvironment and revealing heterogeneity. In this review, we summarize recent advances in prostate and kidney cancer organoids regarding culture conditions, advantages, and applications of these cancer organoids. [BMB Reports 2023; 56(1): 24-31].
Insights
Cancer organoids offer a better way to study kidney and prostate cancers than traditional models. These 3D cultures better mimic the tumor microenvironment and patient diversity for improved research.
Area of Science:
- Uro-oncology
- Cancer research
- 3D cell culture technology
Background:
- Urological cancers (kidney, bladder, prostate, testicular) are common globally, causing significant mortality and morbidity.
- Traditional cell lines and animal models have limitations in reflecting the true biological phenotypes and clinical diversity of urological cancers.
- Existing in vitro models fail to accurately represent the tumor microenvironment and heterogeneity.
Conclusions:
- Cancer organoids are a powerful and promising tool for preclinical research in urological oncology.
- They offer a more biologically relevant in vitro system for understanding cancer biology and testing therapies.
- Further development and application of organoid technology will accelerate progress in treating kidney and prostate cancers.
