Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 9, 2026
Establishment and Characterization of Patient-derived Gastric Organoids from Biopsies of Benign Gastric Body and Antral Epithelium
Published on: January 26, 2024
Patient-derived organoids in gastric cancer: bridging the tumor microenvironment to functional precision oncology
Ji Ma1, Xinyang Liu2, Hongtao Xu1
1Gastrointestinal Surgery Department, Lishui Municipal Central Hospital, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Lishui, China.
Abstract:
Gastric cancer (GC) represents a formidable global health challenge characterized by profound molecular heterogeneity and a dynamically evolving tumor microenvironment (TME). Although genomic sequencing facilitates precision medicine, its capacity to capture intricate tumor microenvironment interactions or predict individual therapeutic outcomes remains limited. Recently, patient-derived cancer organoids (PDCOs) have emerged as high-fidelity three-dimensional (3D) models that faithfully recapitulate the histological architecture, mutational landscapes, and functional phenotypes of their parent tumors. This review systematically delineates advances in using GC-PDCOs to simulate the TME and elucidate immune evasion mechanisms, specifically camouflage, coercion, and cytoprotection. We emphasize the transformative potential of PDCOs as "patient avatars" in functional precision oncology, highlighting their promising predictive value for sensitivities to chemotherapy, targeted therapies, and immunotherapies, with early small-cohort studies demonstrating high clinical concordance. Furthermore, we evaluate the integration of emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence and 3D bioprinting, to overcome current translational bottlenecks. Finally, we propose a strategic roadmap for integrating organoid technology into clinical workflows to achieve truly individualized therapeutic regimens for every gastric cancer patient.
Insights
Patient-derived cancer organoids (PDCOs) offer a 3D model to study gastric cancer (GC) and its microenvironment. These organoids show promise in predicting patient response to various therapies, advancing precision oncology.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cancer Biology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Gastric cancer (GC) presents a significant global health issue due to its molecular complexity and evolving tumor microenvironment (TME).
- Genomic sequencing, while valuable for precision medicine, has limitations in fully capturing TME interactions and predicting patient treatment responses.
- Patient-derived cancer organoids (PDCOs) are emerging as advanced 3D models that closely mimic the original tumor's characteristics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the advancements in utilizing GC-PDCOs for simulating the TME and understanding immune evasion strategies.
- To highlight the potential of PDCOs as patient avatars in functional precision oncology for predicting therapeutic outcomes.
- To explore the integration of new technologies for overcoming translational challenges in organoid research.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of literature on gastric cancer patient-derived cancer organoids (GC-PDCOs).
- Analysis of PDCO capabilities in recapitulating tumor histology, mutational profiles, and phenotypes.
- Evaluation of PDCOs in modeling TME interactions and immune evasion mechanisms (camouflage, coercion, cytoprotection).
Main Results:
- GC-PDCOs effectively replicate the histological and molecular features of parent tumors.
- PDCOs demonstrate significant potential in predicting patient sensitivity to chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy.
- Early studies show high clinical concordance between PDCO predictions and actual patient responses.
Conclusions:
- PDCOs serve as high-fidelity models for studying GC and its TME, offering insights into immune evasion.
- Organoid technology holds transformative potential for functional precision oncology, enabling personalized treatment strategies.
- Integrating organoids with AI and 3D bioprinting can accelerate clinical translation for individualized gastric cancer therapy.
