Tumor Organoids: Breakthroughs in Clinical Decision Making, Drug Development, and Translational Advances Beyond Conventional Models
Yangmin Wu, Ruowei Sun, Gökhan Zengin, Shuai Ren, Mengyao Li
Abstract
ABSTRACT Tumor organoid models are revolutionizing cancer research by bridging the translational gap between conventional two‐dimensional cell cultures and animal models. This Editorial thoroughly explores the fundamental innovations of patient‐derived organoid technology. Firstly, it achieves highly physiologically relevant disease modeling by preserving the genetic heterogeneity and microenvironmental complexity of patient tumors. Secondly, it uniquely integrates microfluidic chips, artificial intelligence, and single‐cell multi‐omics analysis to facilitate high‐throughput drug screening and accurate efficacy prediction. Thirdly, it has significantly advanced the development of immune co‐culture models and the study of tumor–immune interactions, offering a novel platform for examining immune therapy resistance mechanisms. The paper also critically assesses the current challenges in clinical translation, such as the lack of standardization and the complexity of vascular network reconstruction, and suggests future directions focusing on “organoid biobanks” and multicenter clinical validation. This Editorial not only systematically discusses the technological evolution but also provides a theoretical framework and practical path for transitioning organoids from basic research to clinical decision‐making, thereby ushering in a new era of precision cancer medicine.