HE Kangxin, ZHANG Jingyu, QIAN Jingjing, LI Lanjuan
The traditional monolayer cell cultures (cell lines) have been widely used, however, such models fail to recapitulate the cellular heterogeneity, the structure, and the functions of the primary tissues. The organoids, which are tiny, self-organized three-dimensional tissue cultures derived from the stem cells, possess the histological features and the physiological functions highly similar to those of the deriving organs. The patient-derived organoid models have excellent characteristics, such as the humanization, the personalization, the good simulation ability, and the self-organization. Recent research advances show that the organoid models have served as a promising tool in three scenarios, namely, the personalized drug response prediction, the new drug development, and the organoid biobank. The organoid technologies refer to a series of organoid model-related technologies that have a wide range of application prospects in various aspects, for instance, the developmental biology, the regenerative medicine, the disease research, the drug development, and the precision medicine, with high social and economic benefits at the same time. Therapeutic products developed based on the organoid techniques can help achieve precision medicine. Currently, the trends of the organoid technology are influenced by a combination of four factors, specifically, the demand and challenge drivers, the technology and knowledge drivers, the resource and factor drivers, and the ethical and regulatory constraints. This paper discusses the research history and the development trends, focusing on the advantages, the limitations, and the potential applications of organoid models and technologies.
