Using a defined 3D human organoid model to replace the use of animals in the screening and evaluation of treatments for prostate cancer

Vision: Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most common cancer amongst men worldwide and a leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Despite advances in treatment, resistance to therapies like androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) remains a significant challenge. Our project aims to develop and validate a cutting-edge, xeno-free iPSC-derived prostate organoid model to screen and evaluate PCa treatments, ultimately reducing and replacing animal use in research.
Objectives:

Validation: Demonstrate the suitability of our in vitro organoid model for screening and evaluating PCa treatments, reducing reliance on animal models.
Alternative Approaches: Explore alternative treatments and assess drug combinations to sensitise organoids to therapy.
Ethical Considerations: Integrate the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement) principles into the training of our PhD candidate studying cancer biology.

Areas of Focus:

Organoid Model Development: Utilise genetically engineered iPSCs to create prostate organoids that mimic the structural complexity of in vivo prostate tissue.
Drug Screening: Perform high-throughput screening of FDA-approved drugs targeting key pathways in PCa cell lines, organoids and PCa tissues.
ADT Resistance: Develop ADT-resistant organoids to investigate drug responses in a more complex model.
Nanoparticle Drug Delivery: Collaborate with experts to enhance drug delivery using nanoparticles targeting cancer cells.

Importance: Prostate cancer research lacks models that accurately represent the disease’s complexity, particularly the transition from hormone-sensitive to hormone-resistant states. Our innovative iPSC-derived organoid model addresses this gap, providing a valuable tool for preclinical drug testing. This model is free of any animal-derived components and reduces the use of animal models, aligning with ethical research practices.
Why It Will Succeed:

Innovative Approach: Our model faithfully replicates prostate tissue histology and allows...