Patient-derived organoids as a platform for drug screening in metastatic colorectal cancer

Introduction: Most advanced colorectal cancers are aggressive, and there is a lack of effective methods for selecting appropriate anticancer regimens. Patient-derived organoids (PDOs) have emerged as preclinical platforms for modeling clinical responses to cancer therapy. Methods: In this study, we successfully constructed a living biobank with 42 organoids derived from primary and metastatic lesions of metastatic colorectal cancer patients. Tumor tissue was obtained from patients undergoing surgical resection of the primary or metastatic lesion and then used to establish PDOs. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and drug sensitivity assays were performed to analyze the properties of these organoids. Results: The mCRC organoids were successfully established with an 80% success rate. The PDOs maintained the genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity of their parental tumors. The IC50 values of5-fluorouracil (5-FU), oxaliplatin, and irinotecan (CPT11) were determined for mCRC organoids using drug sensitivity assays. The in vitro chemosensitivity data revealed the potential value of PDOs for clinical applications in predicting chemotherapy response and clinical outcomes in mCRC patients. Discussion: In summary, the PDO model is an effective platform for in vitro assessment of patient-specific drug sensitivity, which can guide personalized treatment decisions for patients with end-stage CRC.