Plasma-derived extracellular matrix for xenofree and cost-effective organoid modeling for hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) causes significant cancer mortality worldwide. Cancer organoids can serve as useful disease models by high costs, complexity, and contamination risks from animal-derived products and extracellular matrix (ECM) that limit its applications. On the other hand, synthetic ECM alternatives also have limitations in mimicking native biocomplexity. This study explores the development of a physiologically relevant HCC organoid model using plasma-derived extracellular matrix as a scaffold and nutritive biomatrix with different cellularity components to better mimic the heterogenous HCC microenvironment. Plasma-rich platelet is recognized for its elevated levels of growth factors, which can promote cell proliferation. By employing it as a biomatrix for organoid culture there is a potential to enhance the quality and functionality of organoid models for diverse applications in biomedical research and regenerative medicine and to better replicate the heterogeneous microenvironment of HCC.