Research progress and application status of organoid in breast cancer subtypes

Abstract

Breast cancer (BC) is a prevalent malignant tumor that poses a significant health risk to women. The complexity of basic BC research and clinical treatment is influenced by multiple factors, including age, fertility, hormone metabolism, molecular subtypes, and tumor grading and staging. Traditional in vitro models often fall short of meeting modern research demands, whereas organoids-an emerging 3D primary culture technology-offer a unique platform that better replicates the tumor microenvironment (TME). Coupled with advances in high-throughput sequencing technologies, organoids have become increasingly valuable in biological and chemical research. Currently, the most widely used organoid model in BC research is the patient-derived organoid (PDO) model, which is generated directly from original tumor tissues. This paper aims to summarize the current status of PDO models across various BC subtypes, highlighting recent advances in genetics, mechanisms of drug resistance, identification of new therapeutic targets, and approaches to personalized treatment. In conclusion, the development of clinical precision medicine urgently requires in vitro models capable of accurately simulating the unique molecular subtypes of patients. This review will examine the challenges and future prospects of organoid models in BC research, offering new insights into the fundamental mechanisms of BC and paving the way for more effective personalized therapies.

Figure 1.

Overview of BC organoids in terms of establishment, application to drugs, and treatment. (A) The process of constructing breast cancer patient-derived organoids; (B) After the establishment of organoids, the authenticity of the original tissue of the organoids is often verified through histomorphology, immunohistochemistry, genomics, etc. On this basis, they are applied to drug sensitivity screening to guide patients’ treatment response, discover new drug combinations and compounds, study drug resistance mechanisms explore new treatment targets, etc. Finally, IC50, IHC cell activity, and other outcome indicators are used to evaluate the effectiveness of organoids in research. BC: Breast cancer.

Figure 2.

Overview of the results of research based on the use of various subtypes of BC organs, including basic mechanisms and therapeutic studies. The figure shows important genes or signaling pathways related to the development and drug resistance of various subtypes of breast discovered through organoids, and suggests available therapeutic targets and the mechanism of action of new drugs. BC: Breast cancer.