1335-Tumoroid-on-a-Chip for Precision Drug Testing

Researchers have developed a biomimetic colorectal tumoroid-on-a-chip that integrates microfluidic technology with patient-derived tumor specimens to improve personalized drug testing. By identifying the factor IGFBP5 through single-cell analysis, they successfully "educated" human umbilical vein endothelial cells to self-assemble into a vascular network that mimics the malformed, leaky structure of real tumor vessels. This optimized model demonstrates high structural stability and supports dynamic perfusion, allowing for a more accurate simulation of how drugs penetrate the tumor microenvironment. Validation studies using common therapies like FOLFOX and bevacizumab showed that the platform’s results align closely with actual clinical responses from patients. Furthermore, the system proved effective in screening various small-molecule anti-angiogenic drugs, offering a reliable tool for selecting tailored treatments. Ultimately, this vascularized platform addresses the limitations of traditional organoids by providing a more complex and physiologically relevant environment for precision oncology.

References:

• Dai Z, Fu G, Du Y, et al. Self-assembly of tumor-related vascularized colorectal tumoroid-on-a-chip for precision medicine drug testing[J]. Cell Reports Medicine, 2026.