Organoids: Growing Personalized(?) Mini‑Tumors in the Lab
When testing new cancer treatments, one of the long-standing challenges has been the gap between preclinical lab models and actual human tumors. Enter organoids, 3D, patient-derived mini-tumors grown from patients’ cancer cells. These structures closely replicate a tumor’s architecture and genetics. Organoid technology emerged in the mid‑2010s and quickly expanded to cover cancers like colon, pancreatic, breast, and prostate. Scientists generate organoids from surgical or biopsy samples, embedding them in gel that mimics the body’s environment. These mini-tumors grow, evolve, and respond to drugs more like the original tumor compared to normal cell lines. These models have been used in personalized medicine trials. In one study of colon cancer patients, researchers created organoids and tested them against various drugs. The results predicted which treatments worked best in real life, helping guide bespoke therapy decisions and improving outcomes. Researchers also use organoids to stud...
