Organoid technology and applications in cancer research

Abstract

During the past decade, the three-dimensional organoid technology has sprung up and become more and more popular among researchers. Organoids are the miniatures of in vivo tissues and organs, and faithfully recapitulate the architectures and distinctive functions of a specific organ.These amazing three-dimensional constructs represent a promising, near-physiological model for human cancers, and tremendously support diverse potential applications in cancer research. Up to now, highly efficient establishment of organoids can be achieved from both normal and malignant tissues of patients. Using this bioengineered platform, the links of infection-cancer progression and mutation-carcinogenesis are feasible to be modeled. Another potential application is that organoid technology facilitates drug testing and guides personalized therapy. Although organoids still fail to model immune system accurately, co-cultures of organoids and lymphocytes have been reported in several studies, bringing hope for further application of this technology in immunotherapy. In addition, the potential value in regeneration medicine might be another paramount branch of organoid technology, which might refine current transplantation therapy through the replacement of irreversibly progressively diseased organs with isogenic healthy organoids.In conclusion, organoids represent an excellent preclinical model for human tumors, promoting the translation from basic cancer research to clinical practice. In this review, we outline organoid technology and summarize its applications in cancer research.

Drug-adapted cancer cell lines as preclinical models of acquired resistance

“…Drug-adapted cancer cell lines are, like every model system, associated with specific advantages and limitations. Models including primary cancer cell cultures, three-dimensional cell (co-) culture systems, tumour-derived organoids, and animal models better reflect certain aspects of tumour growth such as intra-tumour heterogeneity, three-dimensional architecture, cancer cell interaction with the cancer microenvironment, and/ or metastatic behaviour [105][106][107][108][109][110][111][112][113][114] . Such models can be used to study processes that cannot be studied in cell lines.…”

Constricted migration is associated with stable 3D genome structure differences in cancer cell

“…With the emerging applications of organoid systems in bridging basic cancer research to preclinical models (Xu et al, 2018), we took advantage of this system to investigate whether we observe any differences in organoid formation and interaction with healthy stromal cells between non-migratory and highly migratory melanoma cells. We co-cultured each A375 subpopulations of cells with normal human foreskin fibroblasts (BJ-1) on a low adherent surface to induce aggregation and attachment of cells to each other.…”

Modifying the Tumour Microenvironment: Challenges and Future Perspectives for Anticancer Plasma Treatments

“…These 3D constructs can be developed from adult stem cell-containing tissues (isolated organ progenitors), single adult stem cells, embryonic stem cells, or induced pluripotent stem cells from normal or malignant tissue. In this construct, cells can differentiate into multiple, organ-specific cell types to form structures similar to that of organs in vivo and functions specifically to the parent organ [286]. Organoids are particularly relevant for the study of toxicity and efficacy of anticancer treatments, as they can effectively recapitulate the treatment response of in vivo cancers with high sensitivity and specificity for chemotherapeutics [286].…”

“…In this construct, cells can differentiate into multiple, organ-specific cell types to form structures similar to that of organs in vivo and functions specifically to the parent organ [286]. Organoids are particularly relevant for the study of toxicity and efficacy of anticancer treatments, as they can effectively recapitulate the treatment response of in vivo cancers with high sensitivity and specificity for chemotherapeutics [286]. The model can be further improved by the addition of stromal or immune cells to the culture to generate a more complete organotypic culture system.…”