100 Cancer Organoid Models Ready for Order Soon

Researchers at the Wellcome Sanger Institute have developed 100 cancer organoids. The work was co-funded by Cancer Research UK and the Sanger Institute and leads the UK effort as part of the international Human Cancer Model Initiative (HCMI). The organoids will soon be available for researchers, together with associated data including whole genome sequences. Organoids, where cells self-organize into 3D structures, is a powerful new tool for cancer researchers. The cells, derived from patients tumors and grown in the lab, mirror the cellular complexity and architecture of an individual tumor. Having 100 organoids from patients with three types of cancer begins to reflect the huge diversity of tumors.
The 100 organoids are derived from the tumors of patients with colorectal, oesophageal and pancreatic cancer. Available to researchers worldwide, they will enable studies into cancer development and biology, as well as drug discovery. Researchers will be able to order the organoids via the biorepository ATCC and data for the organoids will be available on the Cell Model Passports website.