# Establishment of Patient-Derived Organoids from Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Preliminary Data on Yield, Histopathological Concordance, and Methodological Challenges

## TL;DR

This study explores the creation of liver cancer organoids from patients, showing their potential for personalized cancer research and treatment.

## Contribution

The study provides preliminary data on the establishment and fidelity of hepatocellular carcinoma patient-derived organoids.

## Key findings

- Promising engraftment efficiency was observed in organoid derivation from HCC specimens.
- Tumor-specific markers were maintained across organoid passages.
- The study highlights methodological challenges and offers a benchmark for future research.

## Abstract

Patient-derived organoids (PDOs) are emerging as powerful preclinical tools for modeling hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, current data on their establishment efficiency, histopathological fidelity, and immunophenotypic correspondence remain limited and inconsistent. In this study, we present preliminary data from a PDO platform derived from HCC specimens, with an in-depth focus on methodological aspects, success rates, and comparison with the original tumor. Our findings aim to support reproducibility and offer a potential benchmark for future research in the field of organoid-based precision oncology.

Patient-derived organoids (PDOs) have emerged as promising preclinical models for studying tumor biology and testing therapeutic strategies in oncology. These three-dimensional culture systems retain key histological, genetic, and functional characteristics of the original tumors, offering a unique opportunity to advance personalized medicine approaches in liver cancer. In this study, we present the methodological framework and preliminary findings of a prospective study aimed at generating and characterizing PDOs from patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) undergoing surgical resection. Tumor specimens were processed using an optimized protocol for organoid derivation, expansion, and cryopreservation. We evaluated the success rate of organoid establishment and the histo-molecular fidelity to the parental tumor. These early results demonstrate promising engraftment efficiency and maintenance of tumor-specific markers across passages. Our work highlights the potential of PDOs as a reliable and scalable platform for translational research in HCC, setting the stage for future applications in drug screening and biomarker discovery.