Patient derived organoids to model rare prostate cancer phenotypes

Nat Commun. 2018 Jun 19;9(1):2404. doi: 10.1038/s41467-018-04495-z.

Abstract

A major hurdle in the study of rare tumors is a lack of existing preclinical models. Neuroendocrine prostate cancer is an uncommon and aggressive histologic variant of prostate cancer that may arise de novo or as a mechanism of treatment resistance in patients with pre-existing castration-resistant prostate cancer. There are few available models to study neuroendocrine prostate cancer. Here, we report the generation and characterization of tumor organoids derived from needle biopsies of metastatic lesions from four patients. We demonstrate genomic, transcriptomic, and epigenomic concordance between organoids and their corresponding patient tumors. We utilize these organoids to understand the biologic role of the epigenetic modifier EZH2 in driving molecular programs associated with neuroendocrine prostate cancer progression. High-throughput organoid drug screening nominated single agents and drug combinations suggesting repurposing opportunities. This proof of principle study represents a strategy for the study of rare cancer phenotypes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Cell Survival / genetics
  • Epigenomics / methods
  • Gene Expression Profiling / methods
  • Genomics / methods
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice, Inbred NOD
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Mice, SCID
  • Neuroendocrine Tumors / drug therapy
  • Neuroendocrine Tumors / genetics*
  • Neuroendocrine Tumors / pathology
  • Organoids / metabolism*
  • Organoids / pathology
  • Phenotype
  • Prostate / metabolism*
  • Prostate / pathology
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents