Patient-derived organoids (PDO) for oncology research
The use of patient-derived tumor tissue has transformed the field of drug and target discovery research, providing a translational tool and physiologically relevant system to evaluate tumor biology. There has been a transition from 2D assays to 3D cell model systems because they more accurately recapitulate the human in vivo environment and are a more predictive tool for drug discovery. An example of this is the use of patient-derived organoids (PDOs) for oncology research.
Patient-derived tumor organoids or tumoroids are cultures of tumor cells derived from individual patients. PDOs are generated from tumor biopsies or surgical procedures and can serve as models to understand patient-specific drug responses and investigate cancer cell growth. Digested tumor pieces and cells harvested from patient-derived tumors exhibit cancer stem cell (CSC)-like qualities and can be expanded over multiple passages to produce large numbers of organoids that maintain molecular characteristics of the original tumor.
Breast cancer organoids
Early detection and treatment are crucial in the survival rate of breast cancer patients. This necessitates the use of clinically relevant tumor models to understand the mechanism, analyze tumor biomarkers, and screen anticancer drugs. Breast cancer tumoroids provide the platform to study tumor physiology and response to targeted therapies.
Breast cancer organoids are derived from patients’ primary breast tumor cells and incubated in multi-well plates. When integrated into automated drug screening workflows, breast cancer tumoroids can be used to screen large compound libraries to find lead compounds.
Automated imaging and analysis of tumoroids are also necessary for the quantitative assessment of phenotypic changes and dose-dependent drug responses. With immunofluorescence staining, tumoroids can be analyzed with an automated confocal imaging system to evaluate the dose-dependent effects of anticancer drugs. In addition, software tools can provide informative read-outs, such as tumoroid size, integrity (area), intensities for different marker expression levels, and cell count.
More great resources
Here we present our results for breast cancer disease modeling using PDOs formed from primary cells isolated from a patient-derived tumor. Learn how to analyze breast cancer tumoroid growth and the efficacy of anticancer treatments with high-throughput screening and high-content imaging solutions:
Resources for Patient-derived organoids (Tumoroids)
Blog
3D Biology: The paradigm shift in next-generation drug discovery [Interactive infographic]
3D Biology: The paradigm shift in next-generation drug discovery [Interactive infographic]
The drug discovery landscape is changing. Bringing a drug to market has historically been time-consuming and costly, with many candidates failing in the first phase of clinical trials…
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Understanding organoid morphology: a study to assess organoid size and cell count from 3D image analysis
Understanding organoid morphology: a study to assess organoid size and cell count from 3D image analysis
Compound library screens using 2D monolayer cancercell lines are commonly performed in the pharmaceutical industry, to identify molecules with therapeutic potential. Multiple analogues and…
Application Note
3D cell culture systems reveal drug efficacy that is undetectable in traditional flat culture systems
3D cell culture systems reveal drug efficacy that is undetectable in traditional flat culture systems
In drug discovery, the focus has shifted recently towards the development of compounds targeting the so-called ‘cancer stem cell’ populations within tumors. Non-specific, “Standard of Care…
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Leverage automated workflows to enable complex organoid assays
Leverage automated workflows to enable complex organoid assays
3D organoids are increasingly popular in drug discovery and disease modeling as they better represent biologically relevant microenvironments, tissue architecture, and functionality. However…
Scientific Poster
Automation of 3D bioprinting assays for high-content imaging and assessment of compound effects
Automation of 3D bioprinting assays for high-content imaging and assessment of compound effects
The automation of the 3D cell models results in a significant reduction in the time and effort involved, as well as an increase in assay precision and throughput. Here we describe methods fo…
Scientific Poster
Novel analysis of neural outgrowth in 3D human brain micro-tissues with application in compound screening
Novel analysis of neural outgrowth in 3D human brain micro-tissues with application in compound screening
Organotypic three-dimensional (3D) cultures resemble native 3D tissue architecture and are believed to be more representative of real tissues than their 2D (monolayer) counterparts, thus pro…
Blog
How 3D Cell Models Will Shape the Future of Drug Discovery
How 3D Cell Models Will Shape the Future of Drug Discovery
Target discovery and drug development rely heavily on 2D cell and animal models to decipher efficacy and toxic effect of drug candidates. Yet, 90% of candidates fail to make it past…
News
Molecular Devices inks deal with HUB Organoids to advance automated intestinal organoid screening technology
Molecular Devices inks deal with HUB Organoids to advance automated intestinal organoid screening technology
SAN JOSE, Calif., and UTRECHT, Netherlands, Feb. 13, 2023 – Molecular Devices, LLC., a leading provider of high-performance life science solutions, and HUB Organoids (HUB), the pioneer in th…
Blog
A case study for assay-ready patient-derived organoids (PDOs) and high-throughput 3D imaging to advance drug discovery
A case study for assay-ready patient-derived organoids (PDOs) and high-throughput 3D imaging to advance drug discovery
Introduction – the problem. The average cost of bringing a new drug to the clinic is around $1 billion according to a study conducted by the London School of Economics in March 2020…
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3D organoids and automation of complex cell assays [Podcast]
3D organoids and automation of complex cell assays [Podcast]
As we enter the era of sophisticated drug discovery with gene therapy and personalized medicine, we need to be prepared to study complex diseases, assess the therapeutic effect of…
Publications
Improving Drug Development: Molecular Devices and Cellesce Aim to Advance the Use of Organoids
Improving Drug Development: Molecular Devices and Cellesce Aim to Advance the Use of Organoids
Following our acquisition of Cellesce Ltd, Tanya Samazan from Instrument Business Outlook dove deep into conversation with Molecular Devices President Susan Murphy and Cellesce CEO Vicky Mar…
Application Note
Automated dispensing, monitoring, and assay development of hydrogel-based cellular models
Automated dispensing, monitoring, and assay development of hydrogel-based cellular models
3D cellular models that more accurately represent various microenvironments are incredibly important for accurate drug screening and disease modeling.
Scientific Poster
Automation for organoid assays – An integrated system with high-content imaging
Automation for organoid assays – An integrated system with high-content imaging
Three-dimensional (3D) cell models that represent various tissues are being successfully used in drug discovery and disease modeling to study complex biological effects and tissue architectu…
eBook
Building complexity in organoid models
Building complexity in organoid models
Complex biological systems such as spheroids, organoids, and organ-on-a-chip are becoming more popular for disease modeling and drug screening as they better simulate organs and tissues comp…
eBook
The essential guide to organoids in drug discovery
The essential guide to organoids in drug discovery
Three-dimensional (3D) organoid development is one of the most important advancements in drug discovery research to date.
Application Note
Automation and high content imaging of 3D triple-negative breast cancer patient-derived tumoroids assay for compound screening
Automation and high content imaging of 3D triple-negative breast cancer patient-derived tumoroids assay for compound screening
Triple negative breast cancer is a clinically aggressive tumor subtype, with high rates of metastasis, recurrence, and drug resistance.
Blog
Engineering Next-gen Organoids with Automated Lab Workflows at #SLAS2022
Engineering Next-gen Organoids with Automated Lab Workflows at #SLAS2022
SLAS2022, the Society for Lab Automation and Screening conference offered another exciting year for learning about innovative laboratory technologies. Whether you attended in-person…
Scientific Poster
Automation and high content imaging of 3D triple-negative breast cancer patient-derived
Automation and high content imaging of 3D triple-negative breast cancer patient-derived
Triple negative breast cancer is a clinically aggressive tumor subtype, with high rates of metastasis, recurrence, and drug resistance. Currently there are no clinically approved small molec…
Scientific Poster
Disease modeling methods with cancer patient-derived organoids
Disease modeling methods with cancer patient-derived organoids
The use of patient-derived tumor tissue has transformed the field of drug and target discovery research, providing a translational tool and physiologically relevant system to evaluate tumor…
Application Note
In vitro 3D cancer assays using a microfluidics system, magnetic nanoparticles, and high-content imaging
In vitro 3D cancer assays using a microfluidics system, magnetic nanoparticles, and high-content imaging
In recent years, the need to have physiologically accurate 3D cell models for research and drug development has been steadily growing. Researchers have been perfecting the formation and…
Scientific Poster
Novel assay methods for cancer patient derived organoids
Novel assay methods for cancer patient derived organoids
In recent years, researchers have transitioned from traditional 2D assays to more complex 3D cell models, as they are shown to recapitulate the in vivo environment and serve as a more predic…