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conventional organoid cultures, tumors in the mini-colon and the co-culture of endothelial cells with organoids.
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developed more complex structures, evolving from polyp- These approaches have demonstrated success in creating
like formations to fully developed tumors. Through single- vascularized organoids, with 3D bioprinting enabling the
cell transcriptomic analysis, researchers discovered that formation of functional vascular networks that mimic
tumor cells in the mini-colon exhibited high heterogeneity, natural blood vessels. Co-culturing endothelial cells with
including differences in proliferation, stem cell properties, organoid cultures has also facilitated the development
and differentiation markers. Moreover, they found that of blood vessel-like structures, improving nutrient
different tumor clones had distinct transcriptomic profiles, and oxygen supply within the organoid. Biomimetic
which correlated with subtypes of human colorectal cancer. scaffold design appears to hold significant potential. The
Using this mini-colon model, they further investigated the development of scaffolds that more accurately mimic the
effects of gut microbiota metabolites and dietary patterns ECM and native tissue environment could promote the
on tumorigenesis. It was found that specific metabolites, efficient growth of vascular structures within organoids.
such as deoxycholate, promoted tumor development, Advances in materials such as hydrogels and bioinks for
whereas others, such as butyrate, had inhibitory effects. 3D bioprinting are expected to further enhance these
In addition, calorie-restricted dietary patterns reduced strategies, supporting the growth and integration of
tumor burden. Mini-colon offers a powerful tool for cancer endothelial cells with other cell types within organoids. In
research and helps reduce the reliance on animal models. addition, ongoing research and the development of new
The researchers pointed out that the model is not only techniques, such as DNA microbeads for spatiotemporal
applicable to the study of colorectal cancer but could also regulation and bioengineering of functional tissues, will
be extended to the research of other epithelial cancers, such continue to address these limitations and pave the way
as lung, breast, or prostate cancer. for more complex and clinically relevant models. As
these innovations mature, organoid technologies hold
5. Conclusion and perspectives great promise for accelerating the development of novel
The year 2024 saw remarkable breakthroughs in organoid treatments, improving patient outcomes, and providing
technology, which contributed to significant advancements more precise, personalized approaches to medicine.
in biomedical research, particularly in the fields of disease Looking ahead, the future of organoid research
modeling, drug discovery, and regenerative medicine. The will likely involve further integration with emerging
development of organoids with anatomical region specificity, technologies, such as AI-driven drug discovery platforms,
such as brain organoids mimicking distinct brain regions, advanced biomaterials for enhanced tissue complexity, and
and the introduction of AF-based organoids for prenatal multiorgan models that simulate the intricate interactions
diagnostics have opened new doors for understanding between different organs. With continued progress in
complex diseases and disorders. In addition, the integration these areas, organoids have the potential to become
of cutting-edge technologies such as CRISPR/Cas9, single- indispensable tools in both pre-clinical and clinical
cell RNA sequencing, and AI has enhanced the precision settings, revolutionizing how we study disease, develop
and efficiency of organoid research, allowing for more drugs, and create personalized therapies for a wide range
accurate disease modeling and personalized therapeutic of conditions.
strategies. Organoids have demonstrated their potential in
a variety of applications, including identifying carcinogenic Acknowledgments
factors, uncovering therapeutic targets for genetic diseases, None.
and advancing regenerative medicine. These advances have
led to the creation of organoids that better replicate human Funding
organ systems, offering unprecedented opportunities for
high-throughput drug screening, understanding disease The authors acknowledge the financial support from the
mechanisms at the cellular level, and testing therapeutic National Natural Science Foundation of China (82230071,
interventions in a more relevant human model. The ability 82172098, 82427809), Shanghai Committee of Science
to utilize AI for data analysis and drug screening, combined and Technology (23141900600, Laboratory Animal
with advancements in multiorgan models and organ-on- Research Project), and Shanghai Clinical Research Plan of
a-chip platforms, further solidifies the role of organoids SHDC2023CRT01.
in reshaping personalized medicine and therapeutic Conflict of interest
discovery. Despite these advancements, challenges remain,
particularly in scalability, reproducibility, and the need Prof. Jiacan Su is the Editor-in-Chief of this journal but was
for improved vascularization in organoid models. Recent not in any way involved in the editorial and peer-review
research has shown promising advances in addressing this process conducted for this paper, directly or indirectly.
issue, including the 3D bioprinting of vascular networks Separately, other authors declare that they have no known

Volume 1 Issue 2 (2025) 17 doi: 10.36922/OR025040005