Patient-derived cancer organoids that mimic the genetic and histopathological diversity of patient tumors are being generated for studying cancer biology and therapeutic approaches. However, the technical demands and costs associated with handling and propagating these organoids limit their use for various applications, including genetic and chemical screens.

The researchers introduce a suspension culture technique for cancer organoids that allows for the efficient expansion of these models, resulting in tens of millions of cells. They compared this technique to standard organoid culturing protocols and found that cancer organoids grown in suspension culture remain genetically and phenotypically similar to those grown under standard conditions. This simplified culture technique broadens the scope of organoid applications, making them suitable for large-scale perturbation screens.