Sensitization of Patient-Derived Colorectal Cancer Organoids to Photon and Proton Radiation by Targeting DNA Damage Response Mechanisms.

Pathological complete response (pCR) has been correlated with overall survival in several cancer entities including colorectal cancer. Novel total neoadjuvant treatment (TNT) in rectal cancer has achieved pathological complete response in one-third of the patients. To define better treatment options for nonresponding patients, we used patient-derived organoids (PDOs) as avatars of the patient's tumor to apply both photon- and proton-based irradiation as well as single and combined chemo(radio)therapeutic treatments.

Combined Systemic Drug Treatment with Proton Therapy: Investigations on Patient-Derived Organoids.

To optimize neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the value of new irradiation modalities such as proton therapy needs to be investigated in relevant preclinical models. We studied individual treatment responses to RCT using patient-derived PDAC organoids (PDO). Four PDO lines were treated with gemcitabine, 5-fluorouracile (5FU), photon and proton irradiation and combined RCT.

Universal and Efficient Electroporation Protocol for Genetic Engineering of Gastrointestinal Organoids.

Electroporation is a common method for transfection with different kinds of molecules by electrical permeabilization of the plasma membrane. With the increasing use of organoids as a culturing method for primary patient material in the last years, efficient transfer methods of components for genetic engineering in this 3D culture system are in need. Especially for organoids, the efficiency of genetic manipulations depends on a successful transfection.

Mouse Models of Human Gastric Cancer Subtypes With Stomach-Specific CreERT2-Mediated Pathway Alterations.

Background & Aims: Patterns of genetic alterations characterize different molecular subtypes of human gastric cancer. We aimed to establish mouse models of these subtypes.

Methods: We searched databases to identify genes with unique expression in the stomach epithelium, resulting in the identification of Anxa10.

Correction: A more physiological approach to lipid metabolism alterations in cancer: CRC-like organoids assessment.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

A more physiological approach to lipid metabolism alterations in cancer: CRC-like organoids assessment.

Precision medicine might be the response to the recent questioning of the use of metformin as an anticancer drug in colorectal cancer (CRC). Thus, in order to establish properly its benefits, metformin application needs to be assayed on the different progression stages of CRC. In this way, intestinal organoids imply a more physiological tool, representing a new therapeutic opportunity for CRC personalized treatment to assay tumor stage-dependent drugs.