Advancing patient-derived organoids for clinical use
The fight against pancreatic cancer, one of the deadliest types of cancer, is intensifying with the development of patient-derived organoids. These miniature 3D cell cultures grown from small tissue samples obtained from patient biopsies serve as models of the patient's pancreatic tumor. By using patient-derived organoids, researchers can test different drugs and tailor personalized treatment plans for each individual, moving away from the one-size-fits-all approach commonly used in cancer treatment.
The Salk Institute recently conducted a study published in JCI Insight, shedding light on the reliability and robustness of patient-derived organoids as a clinical model for pancreatic cancer. The research, led by senior author Dannielle Engle and first author Jan C. Lumibao, focused on evaluating the impact of different commercial extracellular matrices on organoid development and drug responses. The study revealed that while the choice of extracellular matrix did not significantly affect gene expression or drug responses in the organoids, it did influence the growth rate of pancreatic tumor organoids.
The three most common brands of extracellular matrix tested were Matrigel, Cultrex, and UltiMatrix. Despite containing biologically active components that could potentially interact with the organoids, these matrices did not alter gene expression patterns or drug responses significantly. However, the use of Matrigel resulted in a faster growth rate of pancreatic tumor organoids compared to the other two types, which is crucial for expediting experimental results and treatment initiation in pancreatic cancer patients.
The study also tested the efficacy of six pancreatic cancer drugs—Gemcitabine, Abraxane, Oxaliplatin, Irinotecan, Fluorouracil, and Trametinib—across different extracellular matrices and confirmed that the choice of matrix did not impact the clinical recommendations for drug selection. While Cultrex and UltiMatrix are acceptable for organoid models, experiments using these matrices may take slightly longer compared to Matrigel due to differences in growth rates.
The researchers highlighted that variations in culture media used to grow organoids could have a more significant impact on their characteristics than differences in extracellular matrices. Each lab's culture media may contain a unique blend of growth factors, whereas extracellular matrices generally have a consistent array of growth factors but at varying concentrations. This subtle difference may explain why the choice of matrix had a limited effect on the organoids compared to culture media.
Overall, the findings from this study provide valuable insights into the use of patient-derived organoids for evaluating drug responses and guiding clinical decisions in pancreatic cancer treatment. The researchers at the Salk Institute continue to refine organoid technology and validate its effectiveness in clinical settings, aiming to improve patient outcomes in the future.
This research was supported by various funding sources, including the National Institutes of Health, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, the Lustgarten Foundation, and other organizations committed to advancing cancer research and improving patient care.
The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, where this study was conducted, is renowned for its groundbreaking research in areas such as neuroscience, cancer biology, aging, immunobiology, and plant biology. Founded by Jonas Salk, the developer of the polio vaccine, the institute remains dedicated to pushing the boundaries of scientific knowledge and addressing complex challenges in biology and medicine.
(Source: https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1036825)
The Salk Institute recently conducted a study published in JCI Insight, shedding light on the reliability and robustness of patient-derived organoids as a clinical model for pancreatic cancer. The research, led by senior author Dannielle Engle and first author Jan C. Lumibao, focused on evaluating the impact of different commercial extracellular matrices on organoid development and drug responses. The study revealed that while the choice of extracellular matrix did not significantly affect gene expression or drug responses in the organoids, it did influence the growth rate of pancreatic tumor organoids.
The three most common brands of extracellular matrix tested were Matrigel, Cultrex, and UltiMatrix. Despite containing biologically active components that could potentially interact with the organoids, these matrices did not alter gene expression patterns or drug responses significantly. However, the use of Matrigel resulted in a faster growth rate of pancreatic tumor organoids compared to the other two types, which is crucial for expediting experimental results and treatment initiation in pancreatic cancer patients.
The study also tested the efficacy of six pancreatic cancer drugs—Gemcitabine, Abraxane, Oxaliplatin, Irinotecan, Fluorouracil, and Trametinib—across different extracellular matrices and confirmed that the choice of matrix did not impact the clinical recommendations for drug selection. While Cultrex and UltiMatrix are acceptable for organoid models, experiments using these matrices may take slightly longer compared to Matrigel due to differences in growth rates.
The researchers highlighted that variations in culture media used to grow organoids could have a more significant impact on their characteristics than differences in extracellular matrices. Each lab's culture media may contain a unique blend of growth factors, whereas extracellular matrices generally have a consistent array of growth factors but at varying concentrations. This subtle difference may explain why the choice of matrix had a limited effect on the organoids compared to culture media.
Overall, the findings from this study provide valuable insights into the use of patient-derived organoids for evaluating drug responses and guiding clinical decisions in pancreatic cancer treatment. The researchers at the Salk Institute continue to refine organoid technology and validate its effectiveness in clinical settings, aiming to improve patient outcomes in the future.
This research was supported by various funding sources, including the National Institutes of Health, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, the Lustgarten Foundation, and other organizations committed to advancing cancer research and improving patient care.
The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, where this study was conducted, is renowned for its groundbreaking research in areas such as neuroscience, cancer biology, aging, immunobiology, and plant biology. Founded by Jonas Salk, the developer of the polio vaccine, the institute remains dedicated to pushing the boundaries of scientific knowledge and addressing complex challenges in biology and medicine.
(Source: https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1036825)
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