J Dig Cancer Res.  2025 Aug;13(2):157-167. 10.52927/jdcr.2025.13.2.157.

Recent Research Trends in Modeling Digestive Cancer using Stem Cell Organoids

• Kim HS
• Heo J

• KMID: 2571551
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.52927/jdcr.2025.13.2.157

Abstract

Digestive cancer is a common type of cancer with relatively high incidence and mortality rates worldwide. Stem cell-derived organoid cancer models have been proposed to structurally and functionally mimic actual human tumor tissues better than do existing two-dimensional cell lines and tumor xenografts. Stem cell-derived organoid cancer models have been developed for various digestive cancers and are current being used as tools for the development of new drugs and the screening of personalized anticancer treatments. In this review, we describe the types and characteristics of stem cell-derived organoids and their utility in modeling various digestive cancers while also discussing the challenges that need to be overcome for stem cell-derived cancer organoid modeling and the latest research technologies used to overcome these challenges.

Keyword

Stem cells; Organoids; Digestive system neoplasms; Model