Lung cancer patient–derived organoid biobank for therapeutic screening

Abstract

Introduction: Precision medicine for lung cancer requires accurate diagnostic tests for individual patients. An in vitro model that allows high-throughput therapeutic screening but can also fully replicate the histopathological and molecular characteristics of the original tumour is indispensable. Methods: Resected tumour and the adjacent normal tissues from early-stage lung cancer patients were collected. Metastatic tumour cells from pleural effusion of advanced-stage lung cancer patients were also harvested and used for organoid culture establishment. Genomic analysis using whole-exome sequencing and histological examination were performed on those long-term cultured organoids. Drug sensitivity screening was performed on the tumour organoid cultures. Results: We established a lung cancer organoid biobank that comprehends normal, cancer, and pleural effusion metastases from patients with diversity of histological and genomic backgrounds. The morphology and genomic profiles of the established organoids were closely comparable with the original tissues. Highthroughput drug screening revealed the potential application of novel drugs. Conclusion: This newly established and well-characterised lung cancer biobank is a viable tool for lung cancer research as well as development of precision therapy