Researchers from the National Research University Higher School of Economics and the National Center for Medical Research Radiology have created a three-dimensional laboratory model of prostate cancer. This innovative model allows scientists to study tumor behavior in a controlled environment and, notably, to test the effects of anticancer drugs on realistic tumor-like structures. The team disclosed these advances to socialbites.ca through information provided by the Higher School of Economics.
Prostate cancer is a malignant, slow-advancing disease that begins in the epithelial tissue of the prostate gland. It is particularly dangerous because it can be silent for long stretches, with no noticeable symptoms, which delays diagnosis. Some tumor forms progress rapidly and can be fatal. Globally, prostate cancer ranks as the second most common cancer among men and the fifth leading cause of cancer mortality. In Canada and the United States, screening and early detection strategies are critical, with PSA testing and digital rectal exams guiding timely interventions.
Standard treatment options include hormone therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy, and precision or targeted therapies that focus on specific molecular pathways. In recent years, organoid research—cultures grown in three dimensions from patient tumors—has gained traction as a powerful tool to forecast how individual tumors respond to treatments. Using organoids, scientists can observe drug effects in a setting that more closely mimics human tissue compared to traditional two-dimensional cell cultures. The Higher School of Economics team cultured organoids from prostate tumors to investigate whether the chemotherapy agent docetaxel could effectively suppress cancer cell activity.
Initial findings indicate that docetaxel does not significantly reduce the viability of tumor cells within these organoids, suggesting that standard regimens may be insufficient for some patients. Sergei Nikulin, an associate professor in the Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology at the National Research University, explained that such organoid testing could one day help clinicians avoid prescribing ineffective drugs and instead tailor treatment plans to each patient’s tumor profile. This aligns with a broader shift toward precision medicine, where therapies are selected based on the unique biology of a patient’s cancer rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. In the near term, researchers hope to accelerate the growth and maturation of organoid models so that results become available more quickly, allowing faster iteration of potential therapies and better predictions of clinical outcomes. A key goal is to expand the diversity and size of tumor samples to capture a wider range of genetic and epigenetic variations seen in prostate cancer across populations in North America and beyond.
Beyond drug testing, organoid models offer a platform for studying cancer biology, tumor microenvironments, and mechanisms of drug resistance. As scientists refine these three-dimensional cultures, they anticipate not only improved screening of existing medications but also the discovery of novel treatment targets. In parallel, earlier research has addressed related concerns, such as cancer-related fatigue, and explored supportive strategies to manage this symptom during treatment. These advances collectively contribute to a more informed, data-driven approach to managing prostate cancer and enhancing patient quality of life across diverse healthcare settings.