Advancing Glioblastoma Research with Innovative Brain Organoid-Based Models

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a relatively rare but highly aggressive form of brain cancer characterized by rapid growth, invasiveness, and resistance to standard therapies. Despite significant progress in understanding its molecular and cellular mechanisms, GBM remains one of the most challenging cancers t...

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Main Authors: Cátia D. Correia, Sofia M. Calado, Alexandra Matos, Filipa Esteves, Ana Luísa De Sousa-Coelho, Marco A. Campinho, Mónica T. Fernandes
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-02-01
Series:Cells
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/14/4/292
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author Cátia D. Correia
Sofia M. Calado
Alexandra Matos
Filipa Esteves
Ana Luísa De Sousa-Coelho
Marco A. Campinho
Mónica T. Fernandes
author_facet Cátia D. Correia
Sofia M. Calado
Alexandra Matos
Filipa Esteves
Ana Luísa De Sousa-Coelho
Marco A. Campinho
Mónica T. Fernandes
author_sort Cátia D. Correia
collection DOAJ
description Glioblastoma (GBM) is a relatively rare but highly aggressive form of brain cancer characterized by rapid growth, invasiveness, and resistance to standard therapies. Despite significant progress in understanding its molecular and cellular mechanisms, GBM remains one of the most challenging cancers to treat due to its high heterogeneity and complex tumor microenvironment. To address these obstacles, researchers have employed a range of models, including in vitro cell cultures and in vivo animal models, but these often fail to replicate the complexity of GBM. As a result, there has been a growing focus on refining these models by incorporating human-origin cells, along with advanced genetic techniques and stem cell-based bioengineering approaches. In this context, a variety of GBM models based on brain organoids were developed and confirmed to be clinically relevant and are contributing to the advancement of GBM research at the preclinical level. This review explores the preparation and use of brain organoid-based models to deepen our understanding of GBM biology and to explore novel therapeutic approaches. These innovative models hold significant promise for improving our ability to study this deadly cancer and for advancing the development of more effective treatments.
format Article
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institution DOAJ
issn 2073-4409
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publishDate 2025-02-01
publisher MDPI AG
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series Cells
spelling doaj-art-e65c18c4a0494f7dbff9848a3a28c0372025-08-20T02:44:38ZengMDPI AGCells2073-44092025-02-0114429210.3390/cells14040292Advancing Glioblastoma Research with Innovative Brain Organoid-Based ModelsCátia D. Correia0Sofia M. Calado1Alexandra Matos2Filipa Esteves3Ana Luísa De Sousa-Coelho4Marco A. Campinho5Mónica T. Fernandes6Algarve Biomedical Center Research Institute (ABC-RI), Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, PortugalAlgarve Biomedical Center Research Institute (ABC-RI), Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, PortugalAlgarve Biomedical Center Research Institute (ABC-RI), Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, PortugalAlgarve Biomedical Center Research Institute (ABC-RI), Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, PortugalAlgarve Biomedical Center Research Institute (ABC-RI), Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, PortugalAlgarve Biomedical Center Research Institute (ABC-RI), Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, PortugalAlgarve Biomedical Center Research Institute (ABC-RI), Universidade do Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, PortugalGlioblastoma (GBM) is a relatively rare but highly aggressive form of brain cancer characterized by rapid growth, invasiveness, and resistance to standard therapies. Despite significant progress in understanding its molecular and cellular mechanisms, GBM remains one of the most challenging cancers to treat due to its high heterogeneity and complex tumor microenvironment. To address these obstacles, researchers have employed a range of models, including in vitro cell cultures and in vivo animal models, but these often fail to replicate the complexity of GBM. As a result, there has been a growing focus on refining these models by incorporating human-origin cells, along with advanced genetic techniques and stem cell-based bioengineering approaches. In this context, a variety of GBM models based on brain organoids were developed and confirmed to be clinically relevant and are contributing to the advancement of GBM research at the preclinical level. This review explores the preparation and use of brain organoid-based models to deepen our understanding of GBM biology and to explore novel therapeutic approaches. These innovative models hold significant promise for improving our ability to study this deadly cancer and for advancing the development of more effective treatments.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/14/4/292glioblastomabrain organoidsdisease modelsdrug discoveryhuman stem cellstumor heterogeneity
spellingShingle Cátia D. Correia
Sofia M. Calado
Alexandra Matos
Filipa Esteves
Ana Luísa De Sousa-Coelho
Marco A. Campinho
Mónica T. Fernandes
Advancing Glioblastoma Research with Innovative Brain Organoid-Based Models
Cells
glioblastoma
brain organoids
disease models
drug discovery
human stem cells
tumor heterogeneity
title Advancing Glioblastoma Research with Innovative Brain Organoid-Based Models
title_full Advancing Glioblastoma Research with Innovative Brain Organoid-Based Models
title_fullStr Advancing Glioblastoma Research with Innovative Brain Organoid-Based Models
title_full_unstemmed Advancing Glioblastoma Research with Innovative Brain Organoid-Based Models
title_short Advancing Glioblastoma Research with Innovative Brain Organoid-Based Models
title_sort advancing glioblastoma research with innovative brain organoid based models
topic glioblastoma
brain organoids
disease models
drug discovery
human stem cells
tumor heterogeneity
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/14/4/292
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