Organoids are three-dimensional (3D) cell culture models that closely resemble the structure and function of human organs. These miniaturized organs can be derived from stem cells or directly from patient tissues and are used to study the development, physiology, and disease mechanisms of specific organs in a controlled laboratory setting. Organoids have gained significant attention in drug discovery due to their potential to revolutionize the process of drug development and personalized medicine. In the field of drug discovery, organoids have been extensively used to identify promising drug targets and test the efficacy and safety of potential drug candidates. This approach allows for a more streamlined and efficient drug discovery process, potentially reducing costs and time-to-market for new therapies. Moreover, organoids have garnered widespread utility in the domain of precision medicine, specifically in the context of panel drug testing. This is particularly discernible in the treatment of patients confronting advanced cancerous conditions, distinguished by a conspicuously limited therapeutic window.

The key advantage of organoids is their ability to recapitulate the complexity and heterogeneity of human organs, overcoming the limitations of traditional two-dimensional (2D) cell cultures and animal models. This makes them highly suitable for studying the effects of drugs on specific organs, observing disease progression, and evaluating drug toxicity. Despite their immense potential, organoids still face several challenges in drug discovery. The complexity and maintaining their functionality over extended periods and scaling their production for high-throughput screening are areas of active research. Additionally, there is a need for standardized protocols and quality control measures to ensure reproducibility and comparability across different organoid models.

Organoids have emerged as a powerful tool in drug discovery, offering significant advancements over traditional in vitro and animal models. This research topic will provide a comprehensive overview of the advancements, challenges, and potential impact of organoids, offering valuable insights for researchers and pharmaceutical companies seeking to harness the full potential of this technology in their drug discovery solutions.

• Latest techniques used to generate organoids from various tissues

• Multi-organoid systems to better mimic human organ interactions

• Personalized medicine approaches

• Preclinical drug screening and toxicity testing

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Frontiers in Pharmacology

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