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Engineering vascularized brain tumor organoids: bridging the gap between models and reality
Amirali Hariri1, Atefeh Zarepour2,3, Arezoo Khosravi4,5
1Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, 8174673461, Iran.
Biomedical Microdevices
|October 20, 2025
Summary
Advanced brain tumor organoids with vascular networks better model glioblastoma. These 3D models improve drug discovery and personalized medicine by mimicking the tumor microenvironment and blood-brain barrier.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Cancer Research
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Traditional glioblastoma models lack tumor microenvironment complexity.
- Patient-derived xenografts and 2D cultures have limitations in drug discovery.
- Three-dimensional (3D) tumor models offer more physiologically relevant platforms.
Purpose of the Study:
- Review advancements in brain tumor organoid vascularization.
- Analyze the impact of vascular networks on glioblastoma modeling.
- Explore applications in drug screening and personalized therapy.
Main Methods:
- Co-culturing with endothelial cells.
- Bio-printing vascularized scaffolds.
- Utilizing microfluidic platforms for vascularization.
Main Results:
- Vascularized glioblastoma organoids show improved nutrient/oxygen exchange.
- Reduced hypoxia and better maintenance of tumor heterogeneity observed.
- Enhanced models mimic the neurovascular unit and blood-brain barrier (BBB).
Conclusions:
- Vascularization is key for physiologically relevant glioblastoma organoids.
- Challenges include functional capillary networks, BBB integrity, and immune cell integration.
- Future research focuses on clinically relevant, complex tumor organoids.
