The application of organoids in treatment decision-making for digestive system cancers: progress and challenges

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Biotechnology
• Personalized Medicine

Background:

• Digestive system cancers (gastric, liver, colorectal, esophageal, pancreatic) are leading causes of cancer death.
• Treatment resistance in advanced stages presents significant challenges.
• Patient-derived cancer organoids (PDCOs) replicate tumor biology for personalized oncology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review advances in PDCO technology for digestive system cancers.
• To highlight the potential of PDCOs in personalized treatment decision-making.
• To bridge laboratory research with clinical applications.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing PDCOs for predictive drug testing (chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy).
• Exploring emerging technologies (AI, organ-on-chip, 3D bioprinting) to overcome PDCO limitations.
• Analyzing clinical trial applications in neoadjuvant therapy and real-time treatment guidance.

Main Results:

• PDCOs demonstrate good predictive accuracy for treatment response.
• Current limitations include incomplete tumor microenvironments, variable establishment rates, and long processing times.
• Emerging technologies and clinical trials are actively addressing these challenges.

Conclusions:

• PDCO technology holds transformative potential for digestive cancer treatment.
• PDCOs enable personalized therapeutic strategies based on individual tumor biology.
• Advancements facilitate the integration of PDCOs into clinical care pathways.