Hydrogel‐Mediated Preservation of Live Tumor Explants for Drug Development in Peritoneal Metastases

• DOI: 10.1002/adma.202418647
• Publication Date: 2025-05-20T11:33:16Z
• Authors: Kenny Zhuoran Wu; Rockie Haiyao Ding; Zixuan Zhao; Clara Yieh Lin Chong; Ruochii You; Hengjia Zhou; Dong Hua Seah; Wei Qiang Leow; Hong Kit Lim; Sukanya Shyamasundar; Kanishka Fernando; Fathima Farzana K...; Gillian Ng; Chor Yong Tay; Narayanan Gopalak...; Chin‐Ann Johnny Ong; Eliza Li Shan Fong
• Keywords: Ex vivo

Abstract Clinically effective treatments for peritoneal metastases (PM) remain a significant unmet need. To expedite drug development in PM, hyaluronan (HA) hydrogel‐supported PM patient‐derived tumor explants (PDTE) that better preserve histological features, composition, and biological pathways of the original tumor, as compared to conventional PDTE culture methods are developed. Hydrogel modulation shows stiffness, degradation, three‐dimensional embedding, HA itself key parameters enhance maintenance ex vivo. Further, hydrogels effectively viability by disrupting myosin II‐mediated tissue contraction, phenomenon occurs absence hydrogel embedding. Lastly, addition ascites into not only recapitulates changes microenvironment observed patients but also ascites‐dependent efficacy, highlighting importance incorporating vivo models accurate therapeutic evaluation. The bioengineered this study serve valuable platform treatment personalization.