Project 466540

Lung cancer is the most common cancer in the world and the leading cause of death worldwide. Most lung cancers are non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) and brain metastasis in NSCLC patients is highly frequent. Metastasis accounts for most lung cancer deaths, but there are limits to current models for metastatic cancer models. Some of the simpler models, such as 2D cell culture, dont completely reflect the diverse genetic nature of tumors and therefore wont be as helpful providing information about individual treatment. Other models, such as xenograft models, where cancer cells are transplanted into mice, can provide individualized information, but also take months to grow up, and therefore wont be helpful for late-stage patients. Organoids are tiny, patient-derived, three-dimensional tissue constructs, grow quickly (~4 weeks) in a culture dish, and can mimic parent tissues, even over long-term culture. These organoids have many applications, but most importantly can be able to help choose personalized treatment. It is important to create the right environment for the organoids so they can grow properly and retain genetic characteristics. This is what our research aims to do for patient-derived lung-to-brain cancer organoids. Specifically, our research aims to establish an efficient model of metastatic lung cancer to brain, by optimizing growing conditions for patient derived organoids and creating a biobank of these organoids. We will use these organoids for therapeutic screening to identify personalized treatment options for patients with metastatic lung cancer.