Testing cancer drugs using patient-derived tumor organoids for better treatment selection
Tumor Organoid-Mediated Drug Testing and Clonality Analysis in Peritoneal Surface Disease of Intestinal Origin
This study is looking to help people with advanced colon and appendix cancers by using tiny models of their tumors to see how different drugs might work for them, so doctors can find the best treatment before they start chemotherapy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wake Forest University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Winston-Salem, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11056149 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research aims to create a platform that uses tumor organoids, which are miniaturized versions of tumors grown from a patient's own cancer cells, to test how different drugs affect cancer cells. By analyzing the response of these organoids to various treatments, researchers hope to predict how a patient will respond to chemotherapy before they start treatment. The focus is on metastatic intestinal peritoneal surface malignancies, particularly colon and appendiceal cancers, which often show resistance to standard therapies. This approach could help identify the most effective drug combinations for individual patients based on the unique characteristics of their tumors.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with metastatic intestinal peritoneal surface malignancies, particularly those with colon or appendiceal cancers.
Not a fit: Patients with non-metastatic cancers or those with other types of malignancies may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more personalized and effective treatment options for patients with intestinal cancers.
How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promise in using tumor organoids for drug testing, indicating that this approach could be effective in predicting treatment responses.
Where this research is happening
Winston-Salem, United States
- Wake Forest University Health Sciences — Winston-Salem, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Votanopoulos, Konstantinos — Wake Forest University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Votanopoulos, Konstantinos
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.