Harnessing Organoid Platforms for Nanoparticle Drug Development

Abstract

Cancer nanomedicine holds transformative potential, but its clinical translation remains hindered by the lack of preclinical models that accurately mimic human tumor complexity. Conventional approaches often overlook the dynamic tumor microenvironment (TME) and interpatient variability, leading to unreliable predictions of nanodrug behavior. Here, we present tumor organoids as a transformative solution. These three-dimensional cultures retain the original tumor's architecture, molecular profiles, and TME interactions. Through concrete examples spanning pancreatic, breast, and glioblastoma cancers, we showcase how organoids reliably evaluate nanodrug delivery efficiency, therapeutic effects, and safety profiles. In addition, the establishment of large-scale organoid biobanks further facilitates rapid drug screening and tailored treatment strategies, significantly improving preclinical success rates. Therefore, the organoid-driven paradigm not only overcomes long-standing challenges in tumor modeling but also paves a faster, more reliable path toward clinically effective nanotherapies.

Keywords: cancer; drug screening; nanoparticle; organoid; personalized medicine.

Figure 1

The number of organoid-related publications published in the past ten years (data obtained from PubMed).

Figure 2

Application prospects of organoids in nanoparticle-based drug formulations.

Figure 3

The development timeline of organoid models.

Figure 4

Advantages of Organoids in Nanoparticle Development Compared to Traditional in Vitro and In Vivo Models.