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Updated: May 17, 2025
Author Spotlight: Establishment of Pancreatic Cancer-Derived Tumor Organoids and Fibroblasts From Fresh Tissue
Published on: May 26, 2023
Combination of tumor organoids with advanced technologies: A powerful platform for tumor evolution and treatment
Ying Wu1, Fan Zhang2, Furong Du3
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The 920th Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force, Kunming, Yunnan 650032, P.R. China.
Abstract:
Malignant tumors notably decrease life expectancy. Despite advances in cancer diagnosis and treatment, the mechanisms underlying tumorigenesis, progression and drug resistance have not been fully elucidated. An emerging method to study tumors is tumor organoids, which are a three‑dimensional miniature structure. These retain the patient‑specific tumor heterogeneity while demonstrating the histological, genetic and molecular features of original tumors. Compared with conventional cancer cell lines and animal models, patient‑derived tumor organoids are more advanced at physiological and clinical levels. Their synergistic combination with other technologies, such as organ‑on‑a‑chip, 3D‑bioprinting, tissue‑engineered cell scaffolds and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR‑associated protein 9, may overcome limitations of the conventional 3D organoid culture and result in the development of more appropriate model systems that preserve the complex tumor stroma, inter‑organ and intra‑organ communications. The present review summarizes the evolution of tumor organoids and their combination with advanced technologies, as well as the application of tumor organoids in basic and clinical research.
Insights
Patient-derived tumor organoids offer a more advanced model for studying cancer, retaining patient-specific features. Combining organoids with technologies like CRISPR enhances their utility in cancer research and drug development.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Biotechnology
- 3D Cell Culture
Background:
- Malignant tumors significantly reduce life expectancy, and underlying mechanisms of tumorigenesis, progression, and drug resistance require further elucidation.
- Conventional cancer cell lines and animal models have limitations in fully recapitulating patient-specific tumor heterogeneity and complexity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the evolution of tumor organoids as a 3D miniature structure that mimics original tumors.
- To explore the synergistic combination of tumor organoids with advanced technologies.
- To summarize the applications of tumor organoids in basic and clinical cancer research.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing patient-derived tumor organoids to model patient-specific tumor heterogeneity.
- Integrating organoids with technologies such as organ-on-a-chip, 3D-bioprinting, tissue-engineered cell scaffolds, and CRISPR/CRISPR-associated protein 9.
- Reviewing existing literature on tumor organoid development and applications.
Main Results:
- Patient-derived tumor organoids retain histological, genetic, and molecular features of original tumors.
- Synergistic combinations with other technologies can overcome limitations of conventional 3D organoid culture.
- These advanced models can better preserve complex tumor stroma and inter/intra-organ communications.
Conclusions:
- Tumor organoids represent a significant advancement over conventional models for studying cancer.
- Combining tumor organoids with emerging technologies promises more appropriate and comprehensive cancer model systems.
- These enhanced models have broad applications in both fundamental and clinical cancer research.
