A Tissue Explant Model for Colon Cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a leading cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality worldwide. Recent advancements in cancer research emphasize the importance of personalized medicine, necessitating robust preclinical models that closely mimic the tumor microenvironment. Colorectal cancer organoids have emerged as a pivotal tool in this domain, providing a platform that preserves the cellular heterogeneity and allows high-throughput drug testing. However, organoids do not recapitulate the complexity of the tumor ecosystem, its architecture, and stromal interactions characteristic of native tumors. Here, we describe a model to maintain CRC tissue explants in culture. These explants enable the assessment of therapeutic responses ex vivo. Furthermore, they may offer insights into tumor-immune interactions and facilitate the evaluation of novel immunotherapeutic agents. The continued refinement of CRC tissue explant models promises to enhance our understanding of tumor biology and improve the predictive accuracy of preclinical studies, ultimately contributing to more effective and personalized treatment strategies for colorectal cancer patients.