Functional precision oncology using patient-derived assays: bridging genotype and phenotype

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Genetics
• Translational Medicine

Background:

• Genomics-based precision medicine has transformed cancer treatment but has limitations.
• Functional precision oncology offers a complementary approach by modeling individual tumors ex vivo.
• Patient-derived ex vivo models capture tumor characteristics beyond genomics, enabling functional analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review personalized functional assays in oncology, including organoids, spheroids, and explants.
• To discuss the potential of these assays in predicting patient treatment responses and toxicities.
• To identify barriers to clinical implementation and explore technological advancements.

Main Methods:

• Review of personalized functional assays using patient-derived tumor organoids, spheroids, and explants.
• Discussion of the potential of these models to predict treatment outcomes and drug toxicities.
• Analysis of challenges including assay success rates, turnaround times, standardization, and defining in vitro responders.

Main Results:

• Functional assays can model individual tumors ex vivo, preserving key characteristics.
• These models show potential for predicting treatment responses and drug toxicities.
• Technological advances like microfluidics may enhance feasibility and reduce resource demands.

Conclusions:

• Functional precision oncology complements genomics, offering insights where genomic data is insufficient.
• Overcoming implementation barriers is crucial for routine clinical adoption.
• Technological innovations are paving the way for broader application of functional precision oncology.