Fig. 11

Co-culture systems of organoid and immune cell in immuno-oncology research. Two main methods are currently being adopted: a Holistic approach (up). Tumor biopsies are cultured in ALI in the entire tumor microenvironment as a cell suspension of all cell types, including immune cells and other non-epithelial cell types. b Reductionist approach (down), epithelial organoids are derived from tumor biopsies and are then co-cultured with autologous immune cells derived from the peripheral blood of the same patient. CRC, colorectal cancer; ALI, air-liquid interphase; ECM, extracellular matrix; NK cell, natural killer cell