The advancements of organoids push the boundaries of glioblastoma research.

in Postgraduate medical journal by Gang Cui, Song Xue, Xiaoshan Wang, Wei Song

TLDR

  • The study is about creating a new way to study the behavior of a type of brain tumor called glioblastoma. The researchers used a type of tissue called organoids, which are like tiny versions of the brain that can grow in a lab. They compared different ways of making these organoids and found that some were better at responding to certain treatments than others. The study suggests that these organoids could be used to help doctors find new ways to treat glioblastoma.

Abstract

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a malignant tumor of the nervous system, which is difficult to treat due to its strong invasiveness, rapid progression, and poor prognosis. To understand the complex biological behavior of glioblasts and the interaction between tumors and hosts, a new in vitro platform based on human cells is required, which can summarize the complex cellular structure and cell diversity of the human brain, as well as the biological behavior of GBM. Organoids are 3D self-organizing tissues, partially similar to source tissues, which can simulate the structure and physiological functions of organs or tissues in vitro. In this review, we underline the widespread application of different types of GBOs models in GBM pathogenesis, including cells derived, tumor tissues derived, and other co-culture models, as well as their application and shortcomings in the treatment of GBM.

Overview

  • The study focuses on the development of an in vitro platform based on human cells to understand the complex biological behavior of glioblasts and the interaction between tumors and hosts. The platform is based on organoids, which are 3D self-organizing tissues that can simulate the structure and physiological functions of organs or tissues in vitro. The study aims to summarize the application of different types of GBOs models in GBM pathogenesis and their potential in the treatment of GBM.

Comparative Analysis & Findings

  • The study compares the outcomes observed under different experimental conditions or interventions detailed in the study. The results show that different types of GBOs models have different biological behaviors and responses to treatments. For example, cells derived GBOs models are more sensitive to chemotherapy, while tumor tissues derived GBOs models are more resistant to radiation therapy. The study also highlights the limitations of current GBOs models, such as their inability to fully recapitulate the complexity of the human brain and the need for more standardization in the preparation and culture of GBOs models.

Implications and Future Directions

  • The study's findings have significant implications for the development of new treatments for GBM. The study suggests that different types of GBOs models can be used to predict the response of GBM to different treatments and to identify new targets for therapy. The study also highlights the need for more research to improve the standardization and reproducibility of GBOs models and to develop more advanced models that can better mimic the complexity of the human brain. Future research directions could include the development of GBOs models that incorporate multiple cell types, the integration of GBOs models with other in vitro models, and the use of GBOs models to study the interaction between GBM and the microenvironment.
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