New biobank of tumor models reveals cancers' weak spots
A new open resource of cancer models has enabled researchers to create the first large-scale map of the genes that cancers rely on to survive, offering new avenues for research into better and less toxic treatments for patients.
A groundbreaking biobank of tumor models has been created by researchers, revealing cancer cells' vulnerable points and offering hope for improved treatments. Published in Nature, the study, led by the Wellcome Sanger Institute, involved collaborators across five UK clinical sites. The biobank, called organoids, consists of 256 cultures derived from five types of cancer - colorectal, esophageal, pancreatic, stomach and ovarian.
By sequencing DNA, the team assembled the most detailed reference resource of its kind. Using CRISPR screening, they identified thousands of genetic dependencies crucial for cancer cell survival, pinpointing over 1,700 links between these dependencies and specific cancer features. This work complements traditional 2D cell lines, providing more accurate models that reflect patient tumors.
Dr. Carmen Herranz-Ors, lead author, emphasized that this resource bridges laboratory discoveries and patient care, offering new avenues for developing less toxic treatments.
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