Researchers have established a massive, open-access biobank containing 256 patient-derived tumour organoids. These 3D cultures represent a major upgrade from traditional 2D cancer cell lines, as they better preserve the original tumour's genetic diversity and clinical characteristics.
By collecting material from colorectal, oesophageal, ovarian, pancreatic, and gastric cancers, the team created a renewable resource that includes matched germline samples. This allows scientists to study how specific mutations influence cancer development and drug response with greater precision than previously possible.
To demonstrate the biobank’s utility, the team conducted genome-wide CRISPR–Cas9 screens on 162 of these models. This process mapped gene dependencies and identified vulnerabilities that could guide future precision medicine efforts. The data revealed that cancer dependencies are often specific to certain patient genotypes, such as differences in how specific KRAS variants respond to pathway inhibitors.
The study also tracked tumour evolution in patient-matched samples collected before and after treatment. By comparing pre- and post-relapse organoids, researchers pinpointed mechanisms of drug resistance that could lead to new therapeutic strategies for patients with advanced or treatment-refractory disease.
All data from this project are now publicly available through the Cell Model Passports and DepMap portal, providing a resource for the global research community to improve drug discovery and disease modeling.