February 19, 2025

Promising Pancreatic Cancer Organoids Developed for Anticancer Drug Screening

Researchers from Japan have made significant progress in the development of pancreatic cancer organoids that can effectively mimic the tumor microenvironment (TME) of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). PDAC is the most common form of pancreatic cancer and is known for its high mortality rate, largely due to increased resistance to chemotherapy and high metastatic potential. The unique TME of PDAC consists of various cells, including cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), tumor endothelial cells (TECs), and immune cells.

CAFs play a critical role in the aggressiveness and spread of cancer cells, and their subtypes can vary based on cellular characteristics and functions. Therefore, it is crucial to develop a cell culture system that can replicate the complex TME of PDAC and involve different types of CAFs. A research team from the Institute of Medical Science at the University of Tokyo, led by Dr. Takeuchi Kenta, set out to create pancreatic cancer organoids that could serve as a screening tool for anticancer research.

To achieve this, the team utilized human-induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived mesenchymal cells, which have the ability to differentiate into multiple types of CAFs. They combined these cells with patient-derived PDAC cells and hiPSC-derived endothelial cells, resulting in fused pancreatic cancer organoids (FPCOs). The researchers successfully generated two distinct types of FPCOs: proliferative FPCOs (pFPCOs) and quiescent FPCOs (qFPCOs), which closely resemble the tissue of PDAC patients.

Notably, the qFPCOs demonstrated strong resistance to chemotherapy, while the pFPCOs were capable of regrowth after initial drug treatment. The research team employed advanced techniques such as single-cell RNA sequencing and in-vitro cancer assays to study and characterize the functional properties of the PDAC organoid system.

Dr. Tanimizu Naoki, one of the researchers involved in the study, highlighted the importance of using PDAC organoids with unique TME profiles for screening anticancer drugs. Currently, surgical resection is often the only treatment option for PDAC, and available anticancer drugs have shown limited success in clinical trials. The PDAC organoids developed in this study have the potential to advance cancer biology research and personalized healthcare.

The research findings were published in the journal Cell Reports, where Dr. Takeuchi Kenta emphasized the challenge of reproducing the complexity of PDAC-TME in cell culture models. However, with the use of hiPSC-derived mesenchymal cells and the establishment of the novel PDAC organoids, the researchers were able to overcome this challenge. Their innovative approach holds promise for more effective screening of anticancer drugs and further advancements in the understanding and treatment of pancreatic cancer.

Money Singh
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Money Singh is a seasoned content writer with over four years of experience in the market research sector. Her expertise spans various industries, including food and beverages, biotechnology, chemicals and materials, defense and aerospace, consumer goods, etc. 

Money Singh

Money Singh is a seasoned content writer with over four years of experience in the market research sector. Her expertise spans various industries, including food and beverages, biotechnology, chemicals and materials, defense and aerospace, consumer goods, etc. 

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