Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 31, 2025
Ovarian Cancer Patient-Derived Organoid Models for Pre-Clinical Drug Testing
Published on: September 15, 2023
A platform for efficient establishment and drug-response profiling of high-grade serous ovarian cancer organoids
Wojciech Senkowski1, Laura Gall-Mas1, Matías Marín Falco2
1Biotech Research & Innovation Centre, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark; Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Stem Cell Biology (DanStem), University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark.
Abstract:
The broad research use of organoids from high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSC) has been hampered by low culture success rates and limited availability of fresh tumor material. Here, we describe a method for generation and long-term expansion of HGSC organoids with efficacy markedly improved over previous reports (53% vs. 23%-38%). We established organoids from cryopreserved material, demonstrating the feasibility of using viably biobanked tissue for HGSC organoid derivation. Genomic, histologic, and single-cell transcriptomic analyses revealed that organoids recapitulated genetic and phenotypic features of original tumors. Organoid drug responses correlated with clinical treatment outcomes, although in a culture conditions-dependent manner and only in organoids maintained in human plasma-like medium (HPLM). Organoids from consenting patients are available to the research community through a public biobank and organoid genomic data are explorable through an interactive online tool. Taken together, this resource facilitates the application of HGSC organoids in basic and translational ovarian cancer research.
Insights
Researchers developed an improved method for creating high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSC) organoids, enabling long-term expansion from biobanked tissue. This resource enhances HGSC organoid applications in cancer research.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Biotechnology
- Genomics
Background:
- High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSC) research is limited by low organoid culture success rates and scarce tumor samples.
- Existing methods struggle with efficiency and reliance on fresh tissue.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a robust method for generating and expanding HGSC organoids with improved success rates.
- To validate the use of cryopreserved tissue for organoid derivation.
- To provide a valuable resource for ovarian cancer research.
Main Methods:
- Developed a novel method for HGSC organoid generation and long-term culture.
- Utilized cryopreserved HGSC tumor samples for organoid derivation.
- Performed genomic, histologic, and single-cell transcriptomic analyses.
- Assessed organoid drug responses in human plasma-like medium (HPLM).
Main Results:
- Achieved a significantly higher organoid culture success rate (53%) compared to previous methods (23%-38%).
- Demonstrated successful organoid derivation from cryopreserved HGSC samples.
- Confirmed that organoids accurately recapitulate the genetic and phenotypic characteristics of the original tumors.
- Observed correlation between organoid drug responses and clinical outcomes under specific culture conditions (HPLM).
Conclusions:
- The developed method enhances the feasibility and success rate of HGSC organoid generation and expansion.
- HGSC organoids derived from biobanked tissue are viable models for studying ovarian cancer.
- The resource, including accessible organoids and genomic data, will advance basic and translational HGSC research.
