Tumor organoids as a revolutionary platform for advancing cancer nanomedicine

Nanomedicine has revolutionized oncology through targeted drug delivery and theranostic applications. However, its clinical translation remains a formidable challenge, primarily due to the translational gap created by conventional preclinical models. These models often fail to recapitulate patient-specific tumor heterogeneity and the complex dynamics of the tumor microenvironment. This review posits that emerging tumor organoid platforms, particularly tumor organoid-on-a-chip systems, represent a transformative solution. A key contribution of this review is the introduction of a comprehensive evaluation framework for assessing nanomedicine efficacy, safety and clinical correlation using organoid platforms, offering a critical comparison with conventional models. Furthermore, we identify pivotal challenges including simulation of tumor immune microenvironment, material compatibility, and integration with artificial intelligence, and propose innovative bioengineering approaches to address them. By faithfully bridging the gap between in vitro models and human pathophysiology, tumor organoid platforms are poised to unlock the full clinical potential of next-generation cancer nanomedicine.