Reproducible extracellular matrices for tumor organoid culture: challenges and opportunities

Abstract Tumor organoid models have emerged as valuable 3D in vitro systems to study cancer behavior in a physiologically relevant environment. The composition and architecture of the extracellular matrix (ECM) play critical roles in tumor organoid culture by influencing the tumor microenvironment a...

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Main Authors: Kan Li, Yibo He, Xue Jin, Ketao Jin, Jun Qian
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-05-01
Series:Journal of Translational Medicine
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12967-025-06349-x
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author Kan Li
Yibo He
Xue Jin
Ketao Jin
Jun Qian
author_facet Kan Li
Yibo He
Xue Jin
Ketao Jin
Jun Qian
author_sort Kan Li
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Tumor organoid models have emerged as valuable 3D in vitro systems to study cancer behavior in a physiologically relevant environment. The composition and architecture of the extracellular matrix (ECM) play critical roles in tumor organoid culture by influencing the tumor microenvironment and tumor behavior. Traditional matrices such as Matrigel and collagen, have been widely used, but their batch-to-batch variability and limited tunability hinder their reproducibility and broader applications. To address these challenges, researchers have turned to synthetic/engineered matrices and biopolymer-based matrices, which offer precise tunability, reproducibility, and chemically defined compositions. However, these matrices also present challenges of their own. In this review, we explore the significance of ECMs in tumor organoid culture, discuss the limitations of commonly used matrices, and highlight recent advancements in engineered/synthetic matrices for improved tumor organoid modeling.
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issn 1479-5876
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publishDate 2025-05-01
publisher BMC
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series Journal of Translational Medicine
spelling doaj-art-a8e8b9c39b484e989ac9b00c53002acf2025-08-20T02:55:32ZengBMCJournal of Translational Medicine1479-58762025-05-0123111610.1186/s12967-025-06349-xReproducible extracellular matrices for tumor organoid culture: challenges and opportunitiesKan Li0Yibo He1Xue Jin2Ketao Jin3Jun Qian4School of Basic Medical Sciences, Health Science Center, Ningbo UniversityDepartment of Surgical Oncology, Hangzhou Cancer Hospital, HangzhouCenter for Clinical Pharmacy, Cancer Center, Department of Pharmacy, Zhejiang Provincial People’S Hospital (Affiliated People’S Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College)Department of Colorectal and Anal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University (Zhejiang Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine)Department of Colorectal Surgery, Xinchang People’S Hospital, Affiliated Xinchang Hosptial, Wenzhou Medical UniversityAbstract Tumor organoid models have emerged as valuable 3D in vitro systems to study cancer behavior in a physiologically relevant environment. The composition and architecture of the extracellular matrix (ECM) play critical roles in tumor organoid culture by influencing the tumor microenvironment and tumor behavior. Traditional matrices such as Matrigel and collagen, have been widely used, but their batch-to-batch variability and limited tunability hinder their reproducibility and broader applications. To address these challenges, researchers have turned to synthetic/engineered matrices and biopolymer-based matrices, which offer precise tunability, reproducibility, and chemically defined compositions. However, these matrices also present challenges of their own. In this review, we explore the significance of ECMs in tumor organoid culture, discuss the limitations of commonly used matrices, and highlight recent advancements in engineered/synthetic matrices for improved tumor organoid modeling.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12967-025-06349-xExtracellular matrixReproducibilityTumor microenvironmentTumor organoidTunability
spellingShingle Kan Li
Yibo He
Xue Jin
Ketao Jin
Jun Qian
Reproducible extracellular matrices for tumor organoid culture: challenges and opportunities
Journal of Translational Medicine
Extracellular matrix
Reproducibility
Tumor microenvironment
Tumor organoid
Tunability
title Reproducible extracellular matrices for tumor organoid culture: challenges and opportunities
title_full Reproducible extracellular matrices for tumor organoid culture: challenges and opportunities
title_fullStr Reproducible extracellular matrices for tumor organoid culture: challenges and opportunities
title_full_unstemmed Reproducible extracellular matrices for tumor organoid culture: challenges and opportunities
title_short Reproducible extracellular matrices for tumor organoid culture: challenges and opportunities
title_sort reproducible extracellular matrices for tumor organoid culture challenges and opportunities
topic Extracellular matrix
Reproducibility
Tumor microenvironment
Tumor organoid
Tunability
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12967-025-06349-x
work_keys_str_mv AT kanli reproducibleextracellularmatricesfortumororganoidculturechallengesandopportunities
AT yibohe reproducibleextracellularmatricesfortumororganoidculturechallengesandopportunities
AT xuejin reproducibleextracellularmatricesfortumororganoidculturechallengesandopportunities
AT ketaojin reproducibleextracellularmatricesfortumororganoidculturechallengesandopportunities
AT junqian reproducibleextracellularmatricesfortumororganoidculturechallengesandopportunities