Matrigel-based organoid culture of malignant mesothelioma reproduces cisplatin sensitivity through CTR1

Fumiya Ito1, Katsuhiro Kato2, Izumi Yanatori3

  • 1Department of Pathology and Biological Responses, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, 65 Tsurumai-Cho, Showa-Ku, Nagoya, 466-8550, Japan.

BMC Cancer
|May 30, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Researchers developed malignant mesothelioma (MM) organoids to predict chemotherapy response. These 3D models showed increased cisplatin sensitivity, offering new strategies to overcome treatment resistance in MM patients.

Area of Science:

  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Cancer Research
  • Organoid Technology

Background:

  • Malignant mesothelioma (MM) has a poor prognosis, necessitating improved research and clinical tools.
  • Tumor organoids, 3D culture systems mimicking organs, show promise for predicting chemotherapy response.
  • Few studies have explored drug responses using MM organoids.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To establish a protocol for generating murine MM organoids.
  • To investigate the utility of MM organoids for studying chemotherapy response and resistance.

Main Methods:

  • Murine MM organoids were generated from p53+/- or wild-type C57BL/6 mice using crocidolite or carbon nanotube induction.
  • Organoid characterization included proliferation in Matrigel, subcutaneous injection assays, and RNA sequencing.
  • Drug response assays compared MM organoids and 2D cultures to cisplatin.

Main Results:

  • Established MM organoids mimicked primary tumor architecture and histology.
  • Significant expressional differences were noted in 3D vs. 2D cultures, including receptor tyrosine kinases, glycosylation, and lipid metabolism.
  • MM organoids demonstrated enhanced cisplatin sensitivity, linked to stable plasma membrane localization of the copper transporter 1 (CTR1).

Conclusions:

  • The developed MM organoid protocol is a valuable tool for MM research.
  • MM organoids provide a platform to study chemotherapy resistance mechanisms, particularly to cisplatin.
  • This model system can aid in developing novel therapeutic strategies for malignant mesothelioma.

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