Harnessing Decellularized Extracellular Matrix for Enhanced Fidelity in Colorectal Cancer Organoid and Cell-Derived Xenograft Models

Abstract

This study evaluates the efficacy of a decellularized intestine tissue-derived extracellular matrix (Intestine ECM) as a scaffold for culturing colorectal cancer (CRC) organoids and establishing cellderived xenograft (CDX) models, comparing its performance to traditional Matrigel. Intestine ECM demonstrates comparable support for organoid formation and cellular function, highlighting its potential as a more physiologically relevant and reproducible platform. Our findings suggest that Intestine ECM enhances the mimetic environment for colon epithelium, supporting comparable growth and improved differentiation compared to Matrigel. Moreover, when used as a delivery carrier, Intestine ECM significantly increases the growth rate of CDX models using patient-derived primary colorectal cancer cells. This enhancement demonstrates Intestine ECM’s role not only as a scaffold but also as a vital component of the tumor microenvironment, facilitating more robust tumorigenesis. These findings advocate for the broader application of Intestine ECM in cancer model systems, potentially leading to more accurate preclinical evaluations and the development of targeted cancer therapies.