06.03.2025

Colon cancer presents challenges, as tumor progression and treatment responses vary significantly among patients. A project between the University of Bonn, the company ESQlabs, and the University Hospital Bonn (UKB), is working on an innovative approach. The "ISPOT-K" project merges patient-derived organoids with digital twin technology to improve therapy recommendations for colon cancer patients.

Image: Medical staff looking and analyzing images of human cells and tissue in a laboratory setting

3D organoids are made from tissue that is grown in such a way as to imitate the structure and function of a human organ. 

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Mini-tumors as the basis for digital twins

At the University of Bonn’s LIMES Institute, Assistant Professor Elena Reckzeh and her research team specialize in organoid-based cancer models. They cultivate 3D organoids from tumor tissue samples taken directly from colon cancer patients. These mini-tumors are then exposed to different cancer drugs, helping predict which therapies are most effective for a specific patient. Patient recruitment is carried out in collaboration with Professor Tim Vilz from the Colorectal Surgery and Proctology team at the University Hospital Bonn.

Computational modeling for more precise treatment

The data collected from organoid testing is combined with detailed molecular and physical patient data. This computational modeling is conducted by the research groups of Professor Jan Hasenauer, led by Dr. Dilan Pathirana at the Bonn Center for Mathematical Life Sciences. Their focus is on modeling intracellular signaling pathways relevant to cancer, analyzing drug responses, and quantifying uncertainties. This interdisciplinary research benefits from the expertise of the Hausdorff Center for Mathematics and ImmunoSensation2 Clusters of Excellence at the University of Bonn.

Digital twin for optimized drug dosages

The final step in this approach involves integrating data into a patient-specific digital twin. ESQlabs, through its MPSlabs division, specializes in quantitative systems pharmacology, PBPK modeling, and microphysiological system-based digital twin solutions. The digital twin simulates how an individual tumor would react to different treatments, allowing for personalized dosage recommendations. “Our vision is a data-driven workflow that starts with organoid testing and ends with an in silico simulation - essentially a ‘virtual patient’ guiding physicians toward the most effective therapy,” says Dr. Christian Maass, who leads the business unit MPSlabs and is a principal scientist with ESQlabs.

More effective therapies and reduced animal testing

This personalized approach to cancer treatment offers several advantages:

Reducing ineffective generic treatments while optimizing targeted therapy.

Lowering treatment costs by ensuring optimal drug dosages for each patient.

Contributing to the reduction of animal testing in drug development, as potential toxicities and inefficacies can be assessed earlier using digital models.

MEDICA-tradefair.com; Source: University of Excellence in Bonn

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