Harnessing Tumor Organoids to Revolutionize Immunotherapy Research

Immunotherapy has emerged as a revolutionary approach to cancer treatment, yet the lack of robust preclinical testing platforms impedes progress in this field. Tumor organoids, three-dimensional structures derived from patient-specific samples, differ from conventional models by faithfully recapitulating the histological, genetic, and phenotypic characteristics of native tumors. Moreover, complex organoid models can partially recapitulate aspects of the tumor microenvironment through the integration of immune cells, vascular-associated components, and cancer-associated fibroblasts. This review systematically examines current methodologies for constructing TME-simulating organoids, along with their applications and future challenges in immunotherapy research, including immune checkpoint inhibitors, cell immunotherapy, bispecific antibodies, oncolytic viruses, and cancer vaccines. By elucidating the advantages and limitations of organoid technology in immunotherapy studies, this review explores its potential to establish a novel platform for predictive evaluation of immunotherapy efficacy. Ultimately, it aims to provide innovative perspectives for future research directions in this field and contribute to enhancing therapeutic outcomes for cancer patients.