WILMINGTON, DE — ChristianaCare has opened a first-of-its-kind organoid core inside a community cancer program, creating a new laboratory capable of growing patient-derived “mini tumors” to guide more precise and effective cancer treatments.
The organoid core, housed within the Cawley Center for Translational Cancer Research at the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute, uses three-dimensional tumor models grown from a patient’s own cells. These living cultures maintain the genetic and molecular traits of the original tumor, allowing researchers to test drug responses in near real time.
Organoid cores are rare in the United States, and ChristianaCare says it is the first to operate one in a community cancer center setting. The system offers a faster, more accurate tool for identifying which therapies are most likely to work for individual patients—an approach researchers describe as a major shift in translational medicine.
Thomas Schwaab, M.D., Ph.D., medical director of the Graham Cancer Center, said the technology allows scientists to screen drugs, investigate biomarkers, and study tumor behavior in a controlled environment that closely mirrors real-world conditions. “This core is a bridge between the lab and the clinic,” he said, noting that the models can help tailor treatments that reflect the specific biology of each patient’s cancer.
ChristianaCare treats more than 70 percent of cancer patients in Delaware, giving researchers access to a steady supply of treatment-naïve tumor samples. Studying these samples—untouched by chemotherapy or radiation—provides clearer insights into cancer progression and the potential effectiveness of new therapies.
Developing a new cancer drug remains costly and uncertain, often requiring more than $1 billion in investment before reaching clinical trials. Early-stage testing can be slowed by traditional mouse models, which may fail to accurately mimic human disease. ChristianaCare leaders say organoid screening offers a more reliable system that could reduce preclinical costs and accelerate clinical trial decisions.
Nicholas J. Petrelli, M.D., director of the Cawley Center, said the goal is to shorten the path between scientific discovery and patient care. The center’s organoid core will support a growing biobank of tumors common in Delaware and lay the foundation for immune-tumor co-culture models. Upcoming plans include academic collaborations and shared access for external researchers.
Jennifer Sims Mourtada, Ph.D., associate director at the Cawley Center, called the launch a turning point for community-based cancer research. By studying living tumor models, she said, scientists gain a more personal view of each patient’s disease and treatment options.
The Cawley Center spans 7,000 square feet and is one of only a few community cancer centers nationwide with a dedicated wet lab. Its capabilities include tissue procurement, drug screening, histology services, and training programs for students and early-career physician scientists.
ChristianaCare leaders say the addition of the organoid core strengthens Delaware’s position as a hub for translational cancer research and may offer a model for community hospitals across the country seeking to bring advanced laboratory tools closer to the patients who need them most.
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