Schematic illustrating multiple platforms available for patient-derived models of
cancer. Ex vivo and in vitro models (left
side) include organ or tissue slice cultures, three-dimensional (3D) organoids,
and two-dimensional (2D) monolayer cultures. In vivo models
(right side) include patient-derived xenografts (PDX) in mouse, zebrafish, and
chicken egg chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) hosts. Information from these model
systems can be interchanged to increase our understanding of human cancer
biology, to perform drug screening or testing, and, in some cases, for
functional precision oncology to inform patient care.