Creation of EGD-Derived Gastric Cancer Organoids to Predict Treatment Responses

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Gastric cancer is a deadly disease with no established method to choose the most effective chemotherapy for each patient. To address this public health issue, our group has developed a novel approach using patient tumor samples to create 3D tumor models for rapid drug sensitivity testing. We demonstrated the ability to use patient tumor samples that have been shipped overnight to show that selecting the most effective chemotherapy regimen can be accomplished for patients across the nation. We were able to create 3D tumor models within 24 h and perform drug sensitivity testing within 2 weeks of receiving the tumor sample. This indicates that we have developed a methodology to select the most effective chemotherapy for each patient with gastric cancer within two weeks of diagnosis. ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Gastric adenocarcinoma (GAd) is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Most patients require perioperative chemotherapy, yet methods to accurately predict responses to therapy are lacking. Thus, patients may be unnecessarily exposed to considerable toxicities. Here, we present a novel methodology using patient-derived organoids (PDOs) that rapidly and accurately predicts the chemotherapy efficacy for GAd patients. Methods: Endoscopic GAd biopsies were obtained from 19 patients, shipped overnight, and PDOs were developed within 24 h. Drug sensitivity testing was performed on PDO single-cells with current standard-of-care systemic GAd regimens and cell viability was measured. Whole exome sequencing was used to confirm the consistency of tumor-related gene mutations and copy number alterations between primary tumors, PDOs, and PDO single-cells. Results: Overall, 15 of 19 biopsies (79%) were appropriate for PDO creation and single-cell expansion within 24 h of specimen collection and overnight shipment. With our PDO single-cell technique, PDOs (53%) were successfully developed. Subsequently, two PDO lines were subjected to drug sensitivity testing within 12 days from initial biopsy procurement. Drug sensitivity assays revealed unique treatment response profiles for combination drug regimens in both of the two unique PDOs, which corresponded with the clinical response. Conclusions: The successful creation of PDOs within 24 h of endoscopic biopsy and rapid drug testing within 2 weeks demonstrate the feasibility of our novel approach for future applications in clinical decision making. This proof of concept sets the foundation for future clinical trials using PDOs to predict clinical responses to GAd therapies.