Using 3D Patient Models for Precision Treatment in Gynecologic Cancers

Patient-derived microtumors are 3D cell cultures grown in a lab, developed from a patient’s own tumor tissue and cells.  

According to Erin George, MD, a gynecologic oncologist at Moffitt Cancer Center, samples have been collected from more than 100 ovarian cancer patients at Moffitt to create the microtumors.   

“We are using patient-derived microtumors as a functional platform and integrating them with proteomics and mathematical modeling to begin designing more personalized therapeutic strategies,” George said.  

Development Process  

Tissue is collected from the patient during surgery or a biopsy. In the lab, the tissue is carefully processed to preserve many of the tumor’s original features, including its structure and surrounding environment. 

This is particularly exciting as immune checkpoint inhibitor therapies are becoming an increasingly important part of treatment for some women with endometrial cancer.

Erin George, MD

Unlike traditional cancer cell lines, these models behave more like tumors do in the human body. This helps researchers test how a patient’s tumor responds to different treatments, including chemotherapy, targeted therapies and immunotherapy.  

“The future of precision oncology is not only understanding the genetics of a tumor but also understanding how that tumor actually behaves in response to treatment,” George said.  

The 3D models can typically be created more quickly than other lab models. This allows researchers to study treatment responses and help guide future treatment decisions in a clinically useful timeframe. 

Collaboration Between Departments  

Utilizing patient-derived microtumors and studying their effectiveness is a joint effort across multiple Moffitt departments. Those in the lab work closely with colleagues across various disciplines within the cancer center, including clinical oncology, bioengineering, mathematical oncology, cancer biology, metabolism and physiology, immunology and translational science.   

“One of Moffitt’s greatest strengths is its ability to bring together experts from very different disciplines to tackle complex problems in cancer care,” George said. “Our goal is to develop more personalized therapies for patients — particularly approaches that move beyond the largely uniform treatment approaches we currently use for ovarian cancer.” 

Expanding Research  

The research has now expanded into endometrial cancer, the most common cancer affecting women's reproductive systems. So far, more than 50 samples have been collected from Moffitt patients with endometrial cancer. This research specifically is in close collaboration with the BioEngineering Department at Moffitt.  

Additionally, blood samples are being used to isolate peripheral blood mononuclear cells, which are commonly used in immunology research to study interactions between the tumor and the immune system.  

“This is particularly exciting as immune checkpoint inhibitor therapies are becoming an increasingly important part of treatment for some women with endometrial cancer,” George said.  

Future Work  

Moving forward, George says the goal is to continue improving and validating patient-derived microtumor models while working across different fields to better understand ovarian and endometrial cancers and to expand research efforts into other rare gynecologic cancers.  

“Because many rare gynecologic cancers have limited treatment options and fewer available clinical studies, developing clinically relevant models may help us better understand these diseases and accelerate future therapeutic discoveries,” she said. “Long term, the goal is to build the scientific foundation for future clinical trials and more individualized treatment strategies that can ultimately improve outcomes and quality of life for patients.”