i3S creates organoids for personalised treatment of paediatric brain tumours
A team of scientists from the Institute for Research and Innovation in Health at the University of Porto (i3S), led by Jorge Lima, created organoids from tissue removed during surgery on paediatric brain tumours. These mini-tumours grown in the laboratory enable the identification of the best-suited drugs for each tumour and the development of more effective and less toxic therapies. The study, published in the journal Precision Oncology, opens up new avenues for the personalised treatment of brain tumours in children.
Paediatric brain tumours are the leading cause of cancer death in children, and the lack of preclinical models capable of reflecting their complexity and diversity has been a significant barrier for clinicians. Using surgical samples, i3S researchers established 20 patient-derived cultures from various types of tumours, including low- and high-grade gliomas, medulloblastomas, and even rare cases with specific genetic alterations.
These organoids, according to Bárbara Ferreira, the article's lead author, "faithfully reproduce the morphological, genetic and epigenetic characteristics of primary tumours, making them valuable tools for testing drugs and determining which compounds are more effective in treating each tumour, as well as for studying tumour biology and advancing precision medicine".
According to Jorge Lima, this work, which began with the support of the Rui Osório de Castro Foundation and is being developed by the i3S Cancer Signalling and Metabolism group and Ipatimup Diagnósticos, represents "a milestone" in the relationship between researchers and clinicians: "Through constant collaboration with paediatric oncologists, paediatric neurosurgeons and pathologists at Hospital de S. João, we have managed to create a dynamic process for collecting samples and creating organoids for treatment and study."
In addition to enabling in-depth studies, this platform paves the way for the creation of an organoid biobank, providing material for research and the development of personalised therapies. To conclude, Jorge Lima emphasises that "these advances could help to improve clinical outcomes for children with brain tumours significantly."