Developing a novel Immuno-Oncology model for cancer using organoid technology

Hubrecht Organoid Technology and GlaxoSmithKline will together develop a human relevant Lung and Colon Immuno-Oncology model using Tumor Organoids, to better predict drug effectiveness for small molecule therapies.

Immune therapy is the most recent addition to the list of cancer treatments and shows promising results in clinical studies. Yet, these therapies are extremely expensive since development is still very difficult and it has a high failure rate due to the lack of models.

The use of Organoid Technology to predict which patient benefit from which therapy would impact the burden on the patients, boost cancer survival rates and healthcare costs greatly. In this project an Immuno-Oncology model using Tumor Organoids will be developed and tested to better predict drug effectiveness and enhance personal medicine. Additionally, a biobank will be set-up to study the interaction between small molecules.

Together, this will lead to an organoid-T cell coculture platform that can be used for routine efficacy testing of IO-modulating compounds, shortening the time-line from drug discovery to launch.