Researchers at UCLA have created the most extensive collection of patient-derived sarcoma organoids, which are miniature versions of a patient’s tumor. These organoids help scientists better understand sarcoma and identify the best treatments for each patient.
Since sarcoma is rare and complex, finding effective treatments can be difficult. This new approach allows doctors to quickly test many drugs on the organoids to choose the most effective therapy for the patient.
Sarcomas, rare cancers that develop in bones or soft tissues, are hard to treat because there are over 100 types, and responses to treatment vary. Although they make up less than 1% of cancers, they are deadly, especially in young people.
To improve treatment, UCLA researchers created a biobank of 294 samples from 126 patients and developed tumor organoids. These organoids were used to test many drugs quickly, helping find better treatments for each patient.
The UCLA team used sarcoma organoids to identify potentially effective FDA-approved treatments for 59% of the tested samples. In some cases, the drug responses in the lab matched how patients responded to treatment, suggesting these organoids could help guide treatment decisions.
The organoids were created quickly after surgery or biopsy, allowing for fast drug testing and more personalized therapies for complex sarcoma cases.
The study showed that organoid-based testing could be used on a large scale within one institution, making it easier to match patients with the best treatments. Dr. Nicholas Bernthal said this approach could significantly improve care for sarcoma patients.
The UCLA team plans to test this method further in a larger clinical trial to see how well it predicts treatment responses for osteosarcoma, a standard bone cancer in children and young adults.
Journal reference :
- Ahmad Al Shihabi, Peyton J. Tebon et al., The landscape of drug sensitivity and resistance in sarcoma. Cell Stem Cell. DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2024.08.010.
