Prospects for drug evaluation using human cancer organoid technology

Abstract

Culture techniques that can be used to generate three-dimensional tissues (also known as organoids) using human induced pluripotent stem cells or cells isolated from biopsy tissues have been developed. With this method, it has become possible to reproduce human fetal tissues or human tissues under pathological conditions. The organoid culture technique has its origins in stem cell biology and was developed as a method to reproduce the microenvironment (niche) that promotes self-renewal and differentiation of stem cells. However, these remarkable accomplishments of regenerative medicine and biology are not limited to the elucidation of the mechanisms underlying organogenesis but have also contributed to the fundamentals of new research fields such as human organ reconstruction for regenerative medicine. Furthermore, the tumor microenvironment within the tissue stroma is known to play an important role in the development and progression of cancer. The tumor microenvironment is thought to be formed through the interaction of various cancer cells and is deeply involved in the progression of cancer and resistance to treatment, but there are many unclear aspects. Because the organoid culture technique can reproduce a three-dimensional tissue composed of multiple types of cells, it is considered to be useful in the reconstitution of the tumor microenvironment. Therefore, research on cancer organoids is ongoing. In this paper, we focused on the use of organoids in current cancer research; specifically, we outlined the benefits of organoid technology with respect to the evaluation of drug sensitivity. Moreover, we discussed future prospects of drug evaluation using cancer organoids.