# Organoids in Cancer Research and Regenerative Medicine: Current Status, Challenges, and Future Prospects

**Authors:** Ruiyang Li, Yuezhou Wu, Zhu'anzhen Zheng, Fengjin Zhou, Ke Xu, Jiacan Su

PMC · DOI: 10.1002/mco2.70575 · MedComm · 2026-01-05

## TL;DR

Organoids are 3D cell structures that mimic human tissues and are transforming cancer research and regenerative medicine by offering more accurate models for study and treatment.

## Contribution

This review provides an updated overview of organoid technology's role in cancer and tissue regeneration, emphasizing recent advancements and future directions.

## Key findings

- Organoids offer enhanced physiological relevance compared to traditional models.
- They are being used for disease modeling, drug screening, and precision medicine.
- Challenges include replicating native tissue structures and improving scalability.

## Abstract

Cancer and tissue regeneration pose great challenges to global health, as cancer treatment is impeded by tumor heterogeneity and therapy resistance, while regenerative medicine is constrained by donor shortages and difficulties in replicating native tissue structures. Organoids, as advanced three‐dimensional multicellular structures derived from stem cells, have emerged as transformative tools in biomedical research. They recapitulate key aspects of native human tissue composition and functions, offering enhanced physiological relevance over traditional models. Therefore, this review aims to highlight the latest advancements in organoid technology within the fields of cancer research and regenerative medicine. We begin by discussing the fundamental aspects of organoid generation, characterization, and application. Furthermore, recent progress in both cancer‐oriented and regeneration‐focused organoids is summarized, with an emphasis on their applications in disease modeling, drug screening, mechanistic analysis, and precision medicine. Based on an extensive review of the literature, the current challenges and future directions in the development and application of organoid models are discussed. As organoid technology continues to evolve, it is anticipated that more high‐quality studies will further advance medical science and foster innovation in personalized therapeutics.

The management of cancer and tissue regeneration remains a substantial challenge to global health. Organoids, which are stem cell‐derived three‐dimensional multicellular structures, are revolutionizing biomedical research. Therefore, this review highlights their applications in cancer research and regenerative medicine, while discussing current challenges and future prospects based on comprehensive literature analysis.

## Linked entities

- **Diseases:** cancer (MONDO:0004992)

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** Cancer (MESH:D009369)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606]

## Full text

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## Figures

6 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12771672/full.md

## References

332 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12771672/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12771672