Real-Time and 3D Quantification of Cancer Cell Dynamics: Exploiting a Bioengineered Human Bone Metastatic Microtissue

Present Application and Perspectives of Organoid Imaging Technology

An organoid is a miniaturized and simplified in vitro model with a similar structure and function to a real organ. In recent years, the use of organoids has increased explosively in the field of growth and development, disease simulation, drug screening, cell therapy, etc. In order to obtain necessary information, such as morphological structure, cell function and dynamic signals, it is necessary and important to directly monitor the culture process of organoids. Among different detection technologies, imaging technology is a simple and convenient choice and can realize direct observation and quantitative research. In this review, the principle, advantages and disadvantages of imaging technologies that have been applied in organoids research are introduced. We also offer an overview of prospective technologies for organoid imaging. This review aims to help biologists find appropriate imaging techniques for different areas of organoid research, and also contribute to the development of organoid imaging systems.

In vitro engineering of a bone metastases model allows for study of the effects of antiandrogen therapies in advanced prostate cancer

While androgen-targeted therapies are routinely used in advanced prostate cancer (PCa), their effect is poorly understood in treating bone metastatic lesions and ultimately results in the development of metastatic castrate resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). Here, we used an all-human microtissue-engineered model of mineralized metastatic tissue combining human osteoprogenitor cells, 3D printing and prostate cancer cells, to assess the effects of the antiandrogens, bicalutamide, and enzalutamide in this microenvironment. We demonstrate that cancer/bone stroma interactions and antiandrogens drive cancer progression in a mineralized microenvironment. Probing the bone microenvironment with enzalutamide led to stronger cancer cell adaptive responses and osteomimicry than bicalutamide. Enzalutamide presented with better treatment response, in line with enzalutamide delaying time to bone-related events and enzalutamide extending survival in mCRPC. The all-human microtissue-engineered model of mineralized metastatic tissue presented here represents a substantial advance to dissect the role of the bone tumor microenvironment and responses to therapies for mCPRC.