Core needle biopsy-derived breast cancer microtumors enable functional drug-response testing for precision oncology
Abstract
To predict neoadjuvant chemotherapeutic outcomes, breast cancer organoids have been developed. However, low yields from small tissue specimens and the high cost of niche factor-enriched medium remain barriers to clinical translation. Here, breast cancer patient-derived microtumors (PDMs) from core needle biopsies and small tissue specimens were established using a modified culture protocol and an optimized fetal bovine serum (FBS)-based culture medium, achieving a 75% success rate (6 of 8 cases). PDM characteristics mostly agreed with the tissue origins, according to growth evaluation, histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and genetic profiling. As a proof of concept, PDMs were tested with neoadjuvant chemotherapy alongside the patients' treatment. Notably, the PDM results were positively correlated with the patient outcomes and were obtained within a clinically relevant time frame (∼2-3 weeks). Collectively, our protocol and FBS-based medium efficiently generate breast cancer PDMs from core needle biopsies and small tissue specimens, with promising potential to guide neoadjuvant chemotherapy decisions.
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BibTeX
@article{plikomol2026core,
title = {{Core needle biopsy-derived breast cancer microtumors enable functional drug-response testing for precision oncology}},
author = {Mooktapa Plikomol and Suphawat Laohawiriyakamol and Piyanun Wangkulangkul and Paramee Thongsuksai and Pokphon Khirilak and Ratsamaporn Nontikarn and Onpawee Phanthuvet and Karan Ulhaka and Pasarat Khongkow},
journal = {iScience},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1016/j.isci.2026.117914},
url = {https://www.cell.com/iscience/fulltext/S2589-0042(26)03297-9},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Core needle biopsy-derived breast cancer microtumors enable functional drug-response testing for precision oncology
AU - Mooktapa Plikomol
AU - Suphawat Laohawiriyakamol
AU - Piyanun Wangkulangkul
AU - Paramee Thongsuksai
AU - Pokphon Khirilak
AU - Ratsamaporn Nontikarn
AU - Onpawee Phanthuvet
AU - Karan Ulhaka
AU - Pasarat Khongkow
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/15
JO - iScience
DO - 10.1016/j.isci.2026.117914
UR - https://www.cell.com/iscience/fulltext/S2589-0042(26)03297-9
AB - To predict neoadjuvant chemotherapeutic outcomes, breast cancer organoids have been developed. However, low yields from small tissue specimens and the high cost of niche factor-enriched medium remain barriers to clinical translation. Here, breast cancer patient-derived microtumors (PDMs) from core needle biopsies and small tissue specimens were established using a modified culture protocol and an optimized fetal bovine serum (FBS)-based culture medium, achieving a 75% success rate (6 of 8 cases). PDM characteristics mostly agreed with the tissue origins, according to growth evaluation, histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and genetic profiling. As a proof of concept, PDMs were tested with neoadjuvant chemotherapy alongside the patients' treatment. Notably, the PDM results were positively correlated with the patient outcomes and were obtained within a clinically relevant time frame (∼2-3 weeks). Collectively, our protocol and FBS-based medium efficiently generate breast cancer PDMs from core needle biopsies and small tissue specimens, with promising potential to guide neoadjuvant chemotherapy decisions.
SN - 2589-0042
ER -