University of Basel researchers use organoids to identify new liver cancer treatments

Researchers at the University of Basel have developed a collection of 35 different organoid lines to model the biological diversity of hepatocellular carcinoma, the most common form of liver cancer. These three-dimensional structures, created from living cancer cells, preserve the essential characteristics of the original tumors.

Unlike previous collections, this library includes mini-tumors derived from needle biopsies, allowing for the representation of advanced disease stages that were previously underrepresented. This diversity is critical because liver tumors vary significantly based on their cause and genetic mutations, leading to different responses to medication.

In an automated screening process, the team tested 1,642 substances, including experimental drugs and medications already approved for other conditions. The study, published in ‘Cell Reports’, identified promising new drug combinations, one of which has shown potential in animal models.