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. 2025 Aug 25;24:222. doi: 10.1186/s12943-025-02429-0

Table 1.

Performance characteristics of tumor models: a comparative analysis

Module 2D Cell Lines GEMM PDX PDCO
Type Ex Vivo In Vivo In Vivo Ex Vivo or In Vitro
Cell Structure 2D 3D 3D 3D
Cost Low Very high High Moderate
Culture Conditions Simple Complex Complex Standard
Modeling cycle 1–3 Days 6–24 months 3–6 months 4–6 weeks
Genetic Stability of Original Tissue or Disease May undergo passage-related variation Stable Stable Stable
Tumor Heterogeneity May lose some tumor features Engineered Preserved Preserved
Disease Diversity Simulation NA YES YES YES
Variability in Implantation Rates NA NA YES NA
Species differences NA YES YES NA
TME Simulation NA YES YES YES
Scalability High NA Low Moderate
Standardization High Low Low Moderate

Note: GEMM: Genetically engineered mouse model. PDX: Patient-derived xenograft model. PDCO: Patient-derived cancer organoid. TME: Tumor microenvironment. 2D: Two-dimensional. 3D: Three-dimensional. NA: Not Applicable