Name: generation and culturing of high-grade serous ovarian cancer patient-derived organoids
Uploaded: 2023-01-06T14:50:00
Description: Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Generation and Culturing of High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer Patient-Derived Organoids at JoVE.com

We are grateful for the guidance of Ron Bose, MD, PhD, and the assistance of Barbara Blachut, MD, in establishing this protocol. We would also like to acknowledge Washington University&#39;s School of Medicine in St. Louis&#39;s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Washington University&#39;s Dean&#39;s Scholar Program, and the Reproductive Scientist Development Program for their support of this project.

All human tissue specimens collected for research were obtained according to the Institutional Review Board (IRB)-approved protocol. The protocols outlined below were performed in a sterile human tissue culture environment. Informed written consent was obtained from human subjects. Eligible patients had to have a diagnosis or presumed diagnosis of ovarian cancer, be willing and able to sign informed consent, and be at least 18 years of age. Tumor tissue (malignant primary tumor or metastatic sites), ascites, and pleural ...

<ol>
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Ovarian cancer is extremely deadly due to its advanced stage at diagnosis, as well as the common development of chemotherapy resistance. Many advances in ovarian cancer research have been made by utilizing cancer cell lines and PDX models; however, there is an evident need for a more representative and affordable in vitro model. PDOs have proven to accurately represent the tumor heterogeneity, the tumor microenvironment, and the genomic and transcriptomic features of their primary tumors and, thus, are ideal pre...

In 2021, approximately 21,410 women in the United States were newly diagnosed with epithelial ovarian cancer, and 12,940 women died of this disease1. Although sufficient advancements have been made in surgery and chemotherapy, over 70% of patients with advanced disease develop chemotherapeutic resistance and die within 5 years of diagnosis2,3. Thus, new strategies to treat this deadly disease and representative, reliable models for preclinical research are urgently needed.
Cancer cell lines and patient-derived xenografts (PDX) created from primary ovarian tumors are the main instruments used in ovarian cancer research. A major advantage of cancer cell lines is their rapid expansion. However, their continual culture results in phenotypic and genotypic alterations that cause the cancer cell lines to deviate from the original primary cancer tumor sample. Due to the existing differences between the cancer cell line and the primary tumor, drug assays that have positive effects in cell lines fail to have these same effects in clinical trials2. To overcome these limitations, PDX models are used. These models are created by implanting fresh ovarian cancer tissue into immunodeficient mice. As they are in vivo models, they more accurately resemble human biological characteristics and, in turn, are more predictive of drug outcomes. However, these models also have significant limitations, including the cost, time, and resources needed to generate them4.
PDOs offer an alternative model for preclinical research that overcomes the limitations of both cancer cell lines and PDX models. PDOs recapitulate a patient&#39;s tumor and tumor microenvironment and, thus, provide an in vitro tractable model ideal for preclinical research2,3,5. These 3D models have self-organization capabilities that model the primary tumor, which is a feature that their two-dimensional (2D) cell line counterparts do not possess. Further, these models have been shown to genetically and functionally represent their parent tumors and, thus, are reliable models for studying novel therapeutics and biological processes. In short, they offer long-term expansion and storage capabilities similar to cell lines but also encompass the microenvironment and cell-cell interactions inherent to mouse models4,6.
The present protocol describes the creation of PDOs from patient-derived tumors, ascites, and pleural fluid samples with a higher than 97% success rate. The PDO cultures can then be expanded for multiple generations and used to test drug therapy sensitivity and predictive biomarkers. This method represents a technique that could be used to personalize treatments based on the therapeutic responses of PDOs.

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		<tr>
			<td>1% HEPES</td>
			<td>Life Technologies</td>
			<td>15630080</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>1% Penicillin-Streptomycin</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>30002CI</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>1.5 mL Eppendorf Tubes&#160;</td>
			<td>Genesee Scientific</td>
			<td>14125</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>10 cm Tissue Culture Dish&#160;</td>
			<td>TPP</td>
			<td>93100</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>10 mL Serological Pipet</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>100 &#181;m Cell Filter</td>
			<td>MidSci</td>
			<td>100ICS</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>15 mL centrifuge tubes</td>
			<td>Corning</td>
			<td>430052</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>2 mL Cryovial</td>
			<td>Simport Scientific</td>
			<td>T301-2</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>2% Paraformaldehyde Fixative</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>37 &#176;C water bath&#160;</td>
			<td>NEST</td>
			<td>602052</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>3dGRO R-Spondin-1 Conditioned Media Supplement</td>
			<td>Millipore Sigma</td>
			<td>SCM104</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>6 well plates</td>
			<td>TPP</td>
			<td>92006</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
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			<td>70% Ethanol</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>R31541GA</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>A83-01</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>SML0788</td>
			<td></td>
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			<td>Advanced DMEM/F12</td>
			<td>ThermoFisher</td>
			<td>12634028</td>
			<td></td>
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		<tr>
			<td>Agar</td>
			<td>Lamda Biotech</td>
			<td>C121</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>B-27</td>
			<td>Life Technologies</td>
			<td>17504044</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Centrifuge&#160;</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Cultrex Type 2</td>
			<td>R&#38;D Systems</td>
			<td>3533-010-02</td>
			<td>basement membrane extract</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DNase I</td>
			<td>New England Bio Labs</td>
			<td>M0303S</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>DNase I Reaction Buffer</td>
			<td>New England Bio Labs</td>
			<td>M0303S</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>EGF</td>
			<td>PeproTech</td>
			<td>AF-100-15</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>FBS&#160;</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>F2442</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>FGF-10</td>
			<td>PeproTech</td>
			<td>100-26</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>FGF2</td>
			<td>PeproTech</td>
			<td>100-18B</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>gentleMACS C Tubes</td>
			<td>Miltenyi BioTech</td>
			<td>130-096-334</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>gentleMACS Octo Dissociator with Heaters</td>
			<td>Miltenyi BioTech</td>
			<td>130-096-427</td>
			<td>We use the manufacturers protocol.</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>GlutaMAX</td>
			<td>Life Technologies</td>
			<td>35050061</td>
			<td>dipeptide, L-alanyl-L-glutamine</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Hematoxylin and Eosin Staining Kit</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>NC1470670</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Histoplast Paraffin Wax</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>22900700</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Microcentrifuge&#160;</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Mr. Frosty Freezing Container</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>07202363S</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>N-acetylcysteine</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>A9165</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Nicotinamide</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>N0636</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>p1000 Pipette with Tips&#160;</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>p200 Pipette with Tips&#160;</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Pasteur Pipettes 9&#34;</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>1367820D</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>PBS</td>
			<td>Fisher Scientific</td>
			<td>MT21031CM</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Pipet Controller</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Prostaglandin E2</td>
			<td>R&#38;D Systems</td>
			<td>2296</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Puromycin&#160;</td>
			<td>ThermoFisher</td>
			<td>A1113802</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Recombinant Murine Noggin</td>
			<td>PeproTech</td>
			<td>250-38</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Recovery Cell Culture Freezing Medium</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>12648010</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Red Blood Cell Lysis Buffer</td>
			<td>BioLegend</td>
			<td>420301</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>ROCK Inhibitor (Y-27632)</td>
			<td>R&#38;D Systems</td>
			<td>1254/1</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>SB202190</td>
			<td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
			<td>S7076</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>T75 Flask</td>
			<td>MidSci</td>
			<td>TP90076</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tissue Culture Hood&#160;</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Tissue Embedding Cassette</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>TrypLE Express</td>
			<td>Invitrogen</td>
			<td>12604013</td>
			<td>animal origin-free, recombinant enzyme</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Type II Collagenase</td>
			<td>Life Technologies</td>
			<td>17101015</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Vortex</td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
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generation and culturing of high-grade serous ovarian cancer patient-derived organoids

Organoids are 3D dynamic tumor models that can be grown successfully from patient-derived ovarian tumor tissue, ascites, or pleural fluid and aid in the discovery of novel therapeutics and predictive biomarkers for ovarian cancer. These models recapitulate clonal heterogeneity, the tumor microenvironment, and cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions. Additionally, they have been shown to match the primary tumor morphologically, cytologically, immunohistochemically, and genetically. Thus, organoids facilitate research on tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment and are superior to cell lines. The present protocol describes distinct methods to generate patient-derived ovarian cancer organoids from patient tumors, ascites, and pleural fluid samples with a higher than 97% success rate. The patient samples are separated into cellular suspensions by both mechanical and enzymatic digestion. The cells are then plated utilizing a basement membrane extract (BME) and are supported with optimized growth media containing supplements specific to the culturing of high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC). After forming initial organoids, the PDOs can sustain long-term culture, including passaging for expansion for subsequent experiments.

To generate PDOs, the samples were digested mechanically and enzymatically into single-cell suspensions. The cells were then resuspended in BME and supplemented with specifically engineered media (Figure 3). Organoids are typically established over a time frame of 10 days, after which they demonstrate discrete organoids in culture (Figure 4).
<img alt="Figure 3" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ft...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Generation and Culturing of High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer Patient-Derived Organoids at JoVE.com

Generation and Culturing of High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer Patient-Derived Organoids

Patient-derived organoids (PDO) are a three-dimensional (3D) culture that can mimic the tumor environment in vitro. In high-grade serous ovarian cancer, PDOs represent a model to study novel biomarkers and therapeutics.

Organoids are 3D dynamic tumor models that can be grown successfully from patient-derived ovarian tumor tissue, ascites, or pleural fluid and aid in the ...

Patient drive organoid models genetically and functionally represent their parent tumors and thus are reliable models for studying novel therapeutics and complex biologic processes in ovarian cancer. By recapitulating clonal heterogeneity, the tumor microenvironment, and in vitro cell to cell interactions, these models overcome the limitations of cancer cell lines and patient derived xenografts. Patient derived organoids offer long-term expansion and storage capabilities and mimic tumor physiology.As a result, they are ideal models for the study of novel therapeutics and predictive biomarkers. Begin harvesting of the organoids by placing the tumor samples in a 10 centimeter tissue culture dish and mincing the tissue to create a homogenous mixture using a disposable scalpel. Place the homogenous tissue mixture into a dissociation tube using forceps.For every one to two milliliters of homogenized tissue add seven to eight milliliters of one milligram per milliliter type two collagenase solution in organoid base medium and one milliliter of DNase One solution. Vortex the solution at 458 G.Liquefy the tissue while it is in the collagenase solution using the dissociation machine. Run the program 37 C underscore H underscore TDK three one hour until it is a single cell suspension.Once done, transfer the homogenized mixture to a new 50 milliliter conical tube. Add 20 to 40 milliliters of organoid base medium and vortex the solution at 458 G.Then filter the solution through a 100 micrometer cell strainer into a newly labeled 50 milliliter conical tube. Next, centrifuge the filtered mixture at 1, 650 G for five minutes at four degrees Celsius and aspirate the supernatant using a glass pasture pipette.Prepare 100 micrograms per milliliter Dnase One and resuspend the cells in one milliliter of Dnase One solution by adding drop wise DNase One solution. After 15 minutes of incubation at room temperature add 25 milliliters of organoid base medium to the cells and invert to mix. Then centrifuge the cells at 1, 650 G for five minutes at four degrees Celsius and carefully aspirate the supernatant using a glass pasture pipette.Resuspend the newly formed cell pellet in five milliliters of pre-warmed red blood cell or RBC lysis buffer. Vortex the solutions in each conical tube at 458 G and incubate for five minutes. Again, centrifuge the pellet suspended in RBC lysis buffer and aspirate the supernatant using a glass pasture pipette.Wash the pellet with 10 milliliter PBS and vortex the cells before centrifugation of the cells. For a large cell pellet, aspirate the PBS and add one milliliter of the organoid base medium on top of the pellet. After vortexing the solution, transfer 300 to 400 microliters of the cell suspension to a microcentrifuge tube.After five minutes of centrifugation, aspirate the supernatant and resuspend it in basement membrane extract, or BME, and organoid base medium using cold tips. Plate the resuspended cell solution into a six-well plate in 40 microliter aliquots. Plate up to five aliquots per well.Immediately place the well plate in the incubator for 20 minutes, and after the incubation, gently add two milliliters of the complete organoid medium into each well. Add one milliliter of organoid base medium to each well and pipette the media up and down directly onto the organoid tabs for dissociation. Collect all the medium containing the resuspended pellets in a 15 milliliter conical tube.Then, centrifuge the 15 milliliter conical tube containing the mixture for five minutes before aspirating the supernatant. Add one milliliter of animal-origin free recombinant enzyme to the cell pellet. Mix by vortexing and transfer the suspension to a 1.5 milliliter microcentrifuge tube.After 15 minutes of incubation in a 37 degree Celsius water bath and five minutes of centrifugation, aspirate the supernatant. Resuspend the pellet in BME and organoid base medium and plate the resuspended cell solution into a six-well plate in 40 microliter aliquots. Plate up to five aliquots per well.After 20 minutes of incubation, gently add two milliliters of the complete organoid medium into each well. Resuspend the passage organoid cell pellet in 0.5 to one milliliter of Recovery Cell Culture Freezing Medium and transfer one milliliter to each cryo vial before transferring them to minus 80 degrees and liquid nitrogen tank for long-term storage. Thaw the organoids by transferring the cryo vials stored in liquid nitrogen to 37 degrees Celsius water bath.Once thawed, transfer the organoids to a 15 milliliter conical tube and centrifuge them before aspirating the supernatant. Next, add one milliliter of PBS to the pellet and transfer the resuspended pellet to a 1.5 milliliter microcentrifuge tube After centrifugation at 1, 650 G for five minutes at four degrees Celsius, carefully aspirate the the supernatant using a glass pasture pipette. Resuspend the pellet in BME and organoid base medium and plate the resuspended cells onto a six-well plate in 40 microliter aliquots.Place up to five aliquots per well. Immediately place the plate in the incubator for 20 minutes before adding two milliliters of complete organoid medium to the wells. Organoids were established over 10 days after which they demonstrated discrete organoids in culture.Patient derived organoid cultures were assessed by embedding them into agarose and evaluating them with hematoxylin and eosin staining. It is important to consider the challenges of working with BME. The resuspension of of the cell pellet and BME must be done on ice ensuring no bubbles are formed in the process.This technique allows for further research on the impact of chemotherapy on organoid generation and development due to the problems encountered by patients who have undergone neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

generation-culturing-high-grade-serous-ovarian-cancer-patient-derived

Research

JoVE Journal

Cancer Research

High-sensitivity Detection of Micrometastases Generated by GFP Lentivirus-transduced Organoids Cultured from a Patient-derived Colon Tumor

Despite current advances in human colorectal cancer (CRC) treatment, few radical therapies are effective for the late stages of CRC. To overcome this clinical challenge, tumor xenograft mouse models using long-established human carcinoma cell lines and many transgenic mouse models with tumors have been developed as preclinical models. They partially mimic the features of human carcinomas, but often fail to recapitulate the key aspects of human malignancies including invasion and metastasis. Thus, alternative models that better represent the malignant progression in human CRC have long been awaited.
We herein show generation of patient-derived tumor xenografts (PDXs) by subcutaneous implantation of small CRC fragments surgically dissected from a patient. The colon PDXs develop and histopathologically resemble the CRC in the patient. However, few spontaneous micrometastases are detectable in conventional cross-sections of affected distant organs in the PDX model. To facilitate the detection of metastatic dissemination into distant organs, we extracted the tumor organoid cells from the colon PDXs in culture and infected them with GFP lentivirus prior to injection into highly immunodeficient NOD/Shi-scid IL2R&#947;null (NOG) mice. Orthotopically injected PDX-derived CRC organoid cells consistently form primary tumors positive for GFP in recipient mice. Moreover, spontaneously developing micrometastatic colonies expressing GFP are notably detected in the lungs of these mice by fluorescence microscopy. Moreover, intrasplenic injection of CRC organoids frequently produces hepatic colonization. Taken together, these findings indicate GFP-labelled PDX-derived CRC organoid cells to be visually detectable during a multistep process termed the invasion-metastasis cascade. The described protocols include the establishment of PDXs of human CRC and 3D culture of the corresponding CRC organoid cells transduced by GFP lentiviral particles.

To allow highly sensitive detection of the disseminating human colorectal cancer (CRC) cells colonizing tissues, we herein show a protocol for efficient transduction of green fluorescent protein (GFP) lentiviral particles into PDX-derived CRC organoid cells prior to their injection into recipient mice, with stereo-fluorescence microscopic observation.

Despite current advances in human colorectal cancer (CRC) treatment, few radical therapies are effective for the late stages of CRC. To overcome this ...

High-Throughput In Vitro Assay using Patient-Derived Tumor Organoids

Patient-derived tumor organoids (PDOs) are expected to be a preclinical cancer model with better reproducibility of disease than traditional cell culture models. PDOs have been successfully generated from a variety of human tumors to recapitulate the architecture and function of tumor tissue accurately and efficiently. However, PDOs are unsuitable for an in vitro high-throughput assay system (HTS) or cell analysis using 96-well or 384-well plates when evaluating anticancer drugs because they are heterogeneous in size and form large clusters in culture. These cultures and assays use extracellular matrices, such as Matrigel, to create tumor tissue scaffolds. Therefore, PDOs have a low throughput and high cost, and it has been difficult to develop a suitable assay system. To address this issue, a simpler and more accurate HTS was established using PDOs to evaluate the potency of anticancer drugs and immunotherapy. An in vitro HTS was created that uses PDOs established from solid tumors cultured in 384-well plates. An HTS was also developed for assessment of antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity activity to represent the immune response using PDOs cultured in 96-well plates.

High-Throughput In Vitro Assay using Patient-Derived Tumor Organoids

A highly accurate in vitro high-throughput assay system was developed to evaluate anticancer drugs using patient-derived tumor organoids (PDOs), similar to cancer tissues but are unsuitable for in vitro high-throughput assay systems with 96-well and 384-well plates.

Patient-derived tumor organoids (PDOs) are expected to be a preclinical cancer model with better reproducibility of disease than traditional cell culture ...

Profiling Sensitivity to Targeted Therapies in EGFR-Mutant NSCLC Patient-Derived Organoids

Novel 3D cancer organoid cultures derived from clinical patient specimens represent an important model system to evaluate intratumor heterogeneity and treatment response to targeted inhibitors in cancer. Pioneering work in gastrointestinal and pancreatic cancers has highlighted the promise of patient-derived organoids (PDOs) as a patient-proximate culture system, with an increasing number of models emerging. Similarly, work in other cancer types has focused on establishing organoid models and optimizing culture protocols. Notably, 3D cancer organoid models maintain the genetic complexity of original tumor specimens and thus translate tumor-derived sequencing data into treatment with genetically informed targeted therapies in an experimental setting. Further, PDOs might foster the evaluation of rational combination treatments to overcome resistance-associated adaptation of tumors in the future. The latter focuses on intense research efforts in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), as resistance development ultimately limits the treatment success of targeted inhibitors. An early assessment of therapeutically targetable mechanisms using NSCLC PDOs could help inform rational combination treatments. This manuscript describes a standardized protocol for the cell culture plate-based assessment of drug sensitivities to targeted inhibitors in NSCLC-derived 3D PDOs, with potential adaptability to combinational treatments and other treatment modalities.

This protocol describes a standardized evaluation of drug sensitivities to targeted signaling inhibitors in NSCLC patient-derived organoid models.

Novel 3D cancer organoid cultures derived from clinical patient specimens represent an important model system to evaluate intratumor heterogeneity and ...

Orthotopic Implantation of Patient-Derived Cancer Cells in Mice Recapitulates Advanced Colorectal Cancer

Over the last decade, more sophisticated preclinical colorectal cancer (CRC) models have been established using patient-derived cancer cells and 3D tumoroids. Since patient derived tumor organoids can retain the characteristics of the original tumor, these reliable preclinical models enable cancer drug screening and the study of drug resistance mechanisms. However, CRC related death in patients is mostly associated with the presence of metastatic disease. It is therefore essential to evaluate the efficacy of anti-cancer therapies in relevant in vivo models that truly recapitulate the key molecular features of human cancer metastasis. We have established an orthotopic model based on the injection of CRC patient-derived cancer cells directly into the cecum wall of mice. These tumor cells develop primary tumors in the cecum that metastasize to the liver and lungs, which is frequently observed in patients with advanced CRC. This CRC mouse model can be used to evaluate drug responses monitored by microcomputed tomography (&#181;CT), a clinically relevant small-scale imaging method that can easily identify primary tumors or metastases in patients. Here, we describe the surgical procedure and the required methodology to implant patient-derived cancer cells in the cecum wall of immunodeficient mice.

This protocol describes the orthotopic implantation of patient-derived cancer cells in the cecum wall of immunodeficient mice. The model recapitulates advanced colorectal cancer metastatic disease and allows for the evaluation of new therapeutic drugs in a clinically relevant scenario of lung and liver metastases.

Over the last decade, more sophisticated preclinical colorectal cancer (CRC) models have been established using patient-derived cancer cells and 3D ...

Establishment and Culture of Patient-Derived Breast Organoids

Breast cancer is a complex disease that has been classified into several different histological and molecular subtypes. Patient-derived breast tumor organoids developed in our laboratory consist of a mix of multiple tumor-derived cell populations, and thus represent a better approximation of tumor cell diversity and milieu than the established 2D cancer cell lines. Organoids serve as an ideal in vitro model, allowing for cell-extracellular matrix interactions, known to play an important role in cell-cell interactions and cancer progression. Patient-derived organoids also have advantages over mouse models as they are of human origin. Furthermore, they have been shown to recapitulate the genomic, transcriptomic as well as metabolic heterogeneity of patient tumors; thus, they are capable of representing tumor complexity as well as patient diversity. As a result, they are poised to provide more accurate insights into target discovery and validation and drug sensitivity assays. In this protocol, we provide a detailed demonstration of how patient-derived breast organoids are established from resected breast tumors (cancer organoids) or reductive mammoplasty-derived breast tissue (normal organoids). This is followed by a comprehensive account of 3D organoid culture, expansion, passaging, freezing, as well as thawing of patient-derived breast organoid cultures.

A detailed protocol is provided here for establishing human breast organoids from patient-derived breast tumor resections or normal breast tissue. The protocol provides comprehensive step-by-step instructions for culturing, freezing, and thawing human patient-derived breast organoids.

Breast cancer is a complex disease that has been classified into several different histological and molecular subtypes. Patient-derived breast tumor ...

Visualizing DNA Damage Repair Proteins in Patient-Derived Ovarian Cancer Organoids via Immunofluorescence Assays

Immunofluorescence is one of the most widely used techniques to visualize target antigens with high sensitivity and specificity, allowing for the accurate identification and localization of proteins, glycans, and small molecules. While this technique is well-established in two-dimensional (2D) cell culture, less is known about its use in three-dimensional (3D) cell models. Ovarian cancer organoids are 3D tumor models that recapitulate tumor cell clonal heterogeneity, the tumor microenvironment, and cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions. Thus, they are superior to cell lines for the evaluation of drug sensitivity and functional biomarkers. Therefore, the ability to utilize immunofluorescence on primary ovarian cancer organoids is extremely beneficial in understanding the biology of this cancer. The current study describes the technique of immunofluorescence to detect DNA damage repair proteins in high-grade serous patient-derived ovarian cancer organoids (PDOs). After exposing the PDOs to ionizing radiation, immunofluorescence is performed on intact organoids to evaluate nuclear proteins as foci. Images are collected using z-stack imaging on confocal microscopy and analyzed using automated foci counting software. The described methods allow for the analysis of temporal and special recruitment of DNA damage repair proteins and colocalization of these proteins with cell-cycle markers.

Visualizing DNA Damage Repair Proteins in Patient-Derived Ovarian Cancer Organoids via Immunofluorescence Assays

The present protocol describes methods for evaluating DNA damage repair proteins in patient-derived ovarian cancer organoids. Included here are comprehensive plating and staining methods, as well as detailed, objective quantification procedures.

Immunofluorescence is one of the most widely used techniques to visualize target antigens with high sensitivity and specificity, allowing for the accurate ...

Ovarian Cancer Patient-Derived Organoid Models for Pre-Clinical Drug Testing

Ovarian cancer is a fatal gynecologic cancer and the fifth leading cause of cancer death among women in the United States. Developing new drug treatments is crucial to advancing healthcare and improving patient outcomes. Organoids are in-vitro three-dimensional multicellular miniature organs. Patient-derived organoid (PDO) models of ovarian cancer may be optimal for drug screening because they more accurately recapitulate tissues of interest than two-dimensional cell culture models and are inexpensive compared to patient-derived xenografts. In addition, ovarian cancer PDOs mimic the variable tumor microenvironment and genetic background typically observed in ovarian cancer. Here, a method is described that can be used to test conventional and novel drugs on PDOs derived from ovarian cancer tissue and ascites. A luminescence-based adenosine triphosphate (ATP) assay is used to measure viability, growth rate, and drug sensitivity. Drug screens in PDOs can be completed in 7-10 days, depending on the rate of organoid formation and drug treatments.

We present a protocol that can be used to conduct therapeutic drug testing with patient-derived ovarian cancer organoids.

Ovarian cancer is a fatal gynecologic cancer and the fifth leading cause of cancer death among women in the United States. Developing new drug treatments ...

Automated Kinetic Imaging for Drug Assessment in Patient-Derived Tumor Organoids

Multiplexed Live-Cell Imaging for Drug Responses in Patient-Derived Organoid Models of Cancer

Patient-derived organoid (PDO) models of cancer are a multifunctional research system that better recapitulates human disease as compared to cancer cell lines. PDO models can be generated by culturing patient tumor cells in extracellular basement membrane extracts (BME) and plating them as three-dimensional domes. However, commercially available reagents that have been optimized for phenotypic assays in monolayer cultures often are not compatible with BME. Herein, we describe a method to plate PDO models and assess drug effects using an automated live-cell imaging system. In addition, we apply fluorescent dyes that are compatible with kinetic measurements to quantify cell health and apoptosis simultaneously. Image capture can be customized to occur at regular time intervals over several days. Users can analyze drug effects in individual Z-plane images or a Z Projection of serial images from multiple focal planes. Using masking, specific parameters of interest are calculated, such as PDO number, area, and fluorescence intensity. We provide proof-of-concept data demonstrating the effect of cytotoxic agents on cell health, apoptosis, and viability. This automated kinetic imaging platform can be expanded to other phenotypic readouts to understand diverse therapeutic effects in PDO models of cancer.

Author Spotlight: Developing Multiplexed Kinetic Assays for Organoid-Based Drug Response Analysis

Patient-derived tumor organoids are a sophisticated model system for basic and translational research. This methods article details the use of multiplexed fluorescent live-cell imaging for simultaneous kinetic assessment of different organoid phenotypes.

Patient-derived organoid (PDO) models of cancer are a multifunctional research system that better recapitulates human disease as compared to cancer cell ...

Derivation of 3D Glioma Organoids from Chopper-Processed Patient Tumors

Cultivating Ex Vivo Patient-Derived Glioma Organoids Using a Tissue Chopper

Glioblastoma, IDH-wild type, CNS WHO grade 4 (GBM) is a primary brain tumor associated with poor patient survival despite aggressive treatment. Developing realistic ex vivo models remain challenging. Patient-derived 3-dimensional organoid (PDO) models offer innovative platforms that capture the phenotypic and molecular heterogeneity of GBM, while preserving key characteristics of the original tumors. However, manual dissection for PDO generation is time-consuming, expensive and can result in a number of irregular and unevenly sized PDOs. This study presents an innovative method for PDO production using an automated tissue chopper. Tumor samples from four GBM and one astrocytoma, IDH-mutant, CNS WHO grade 2 patients were processed manually as well as using the tissue chopper. In the manual approach, the tumor material was dissected using scalpels under microscopic control, while the tissue chopper was employed at three different angles. Following culture on an orbital shaker at 37 &#176;C, morphological changes were evaluated using bright field microscopy, while proliferation (Ki67) and apoptosis (CC3) were assessed by immunofluorescence after 6 weeks. The tissue chopper method reduced almost 70% of the manufacturing time and resulted in a significantly higher PDOs mean count compared to the manually processed tissue from the second week onwards (week 2: 801 vs. 601, P = 0.018; week 3: 1105 vs. 771, P = 0.032; and week 4:1195 vs. 784, P &lt; 0.01). Quality assessment revealed similar rates of tumor-cell apoptosis and proliferation for both manufacturing methods. Therefore, the automated tissue chopper method offers a more efficient approach in terms of time and PDO yield. This method holds promise for drug- or immunotherapy-screening of GBM patients.

Author Spotlight: Enhanced Generation of Patient-Derived 3D Organoids for Glioblastoma and Glioma

This study introduces an automated method to generate patient-derived glioblastoma 3-dimensional organoids utilizing a tissue chopper. The method provides a suitable and effective approach to obtain such organoids for therapeutical testing.

Glioblastoma, IDH-wild type, CNS WHO grade 4 (GBM) is a primary brain tumor associated with poor patient survival despite aggressive treatment. Developing ...

Standardizing Ovarian Cancer Organoid Biobanking

Strategy for Biobanking of Ovarian Cancer Organoids: Addressing the Interpatient Heterogeneity across Histological Subtypes and Disease Stages

While the establishment of an ovarian cancer biobank from patient-derived organoids along with their clinical background information promises advances in research and patient care, standardization remains a challenge due to the heterogeneity of this lethal malignancy, combined with the inherent complexity of organoid technology. This adaptable protocol provides a systematic framework to realize the full potential of ovarian cancer organoids considering a patient-specific variability of progenitors. By implementing a structured experimental workflow to select optimal culture conditions and seeding methods, with parallel testing of direct 3D seeding versus a 2D/3D route, we obtain, in most cases, robust long-term expanding lines suitable for a broad range of downstream applications. 
Notably, the protocol has been tested and proven efficient in a great number of cases (N = 120) of highly heterogeneous starting material, including high-grade and low-grade ovarian cancer and stages of the disease with primary debulking, recurrent disease, and post-neoadjuvant surgical specimens. Within a low Wnt, high BMP exogenous signaling environment, we observed progenitors being differently susceptible to the activation of the Heregulin 1 &#223; (HER&#223;-1)-pathway, with HER&#223;-1 promoting organoid formation in some while inhibiting it in others. For a subset of the patient's samples, optimal organoid formation and long-term growth necessitate the addition of fibroblast growth factor 10 and R-Spondin 1 to the medium. 
Further, we highlight the critical steps of tissue digestion and progenitor isolation and point to examples where brief cultivation in 2D on plastic is beneficial for subsequent organoid formation in the Basement Membrane Extract type 2 matrix. Overall, optimal biobanking requires systematic testing of all main conditions in parallel to identify an adequate growth environment for individual lines. The protocol also describes the handling procedure for efficient embedding, sectioning, and staining to obtain high-resolution images of organoids, which is required for comprehensive phenotyping.

Author Spotlight: Advancing Personalized Medicine in Ovarian Cancer 

This protocol offers a systematic framework for the establishment of ovarian cancer organoids from different disease stages and addresses the challenges of patient-specific variability to increase yield and enable robust long-term expansion for subsequent applications. It includes detailed steps for tissue processing, seeding, adjusting media requirements, and immunofluorescence staining.

While the establishment of an ovarian cancer biobank from patient-derived organoids along with their clinical background information promises advances in ...