The Polymer Society of Korea

Abstract

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) exhibits a profoundly unfavorable prognosis among solid malignancies. The retroperitoneal localization of the pancreas, coupled with the tumor's propensity for vascular invasion and encasement, impedes early detection and complicates surgical intervention. Furthermore, the aggressive metastatic dissemination and inherent chemoresistance of PDAC underscore the imperative for a comprehensive understanding of its pathogenesis and associated etiological factors. This study describes the development of a vascularized PDAC organoid culture platform, engineered to recapitulate the in vivo tumor microenvironment. A functional vascular network was created by co-culture of PDAC organoids and vascular endothelial cells within a 3D-printed culture well. This platform demonstrates significant utility for investigating PDAC pathobiology, modeling tumor metastasis, and facilitating high-throughput pharmacological screening.