Purpose of Review Novel 3D organoid culture techniques have enabled long-term expansion of pancreatic tissue. This review comprehensively summarizes and evaluates the applications of primary tissue... Show morePurpose of Review Novel 3D organoid culture techniques have enabled long-term expansion of pancreatic tissue. This review comprehensively summarizes and evaluates the applications of primary tissue-derived pancreatic organoids in regenerative studies, disease modelling, and personalized medicine.Recent Findings Organoids derived from human fetal and adult pancreatic tissue have been used to study pancreas development and repair. Generated adult human pancreatic organoids harbor the capacity for clonal expansion and endocrine cell formation. In addition, organoids have been generated from human pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma in order to study tumor behavior and assess drug responses.Summary Pancreatic organoids constitute an important translational bridge between in vitro and in vivo models, enhancing our understanding of pancreatic cell biology. Current applications for pancreatic organoid technology include studies on tissue regeneration, disease modelling, and drug screening. Show less
Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most malignant variant of glioma. This tumor does not only display an extremely aggressive, invasive growth pattern, but is also very difficult to treat. With a... Show moreGlioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most malignant variant of glioma. This tumor does not only display an extremely aggressive, invasive growth pattern, but is also very difficult to treat. With a two-year survival rate of 40% and a median survival of 12-18 months after treatment, prognosis is poor. Current treatment options are not successful in halting tumor progression and GBM tumors are highly heterogeneous, display all kinds of anti-apoptotic escape routes, suppress the immune system, invade the surrounding parenchyma with unmatched aggressiveness and possess a whole array of tools to rearrange the extra tumoral environment to their advantage. The aim of this thesis is to combine the strengths of gene-therapy and bioluminescence Imaging (BLI) for the development of novel reporter systems in order to study glioma tumor biology and its response to therapeutic compounds. We optimized the currently available BLI luciferases (Gaussia luciferase, Vargula hilgendorfi) and assays (Gluc blood assay, Mycoplasma detection assay). We explored a new multimodal targeted liposome formulation with increased relaxivity for the treatment and imaging of cancer. Finally we combined the newly developed and enhanced reporters to test a new therapeutic combination for the treatment of Glioma (TRAIL, Lanatoside C). Show less
