Scientists have developed 'mini colons' which they say is an advancement in colorectal cancer research, ushering in a new era of understanding and treatment possibilities.

Researchers from the Roche Institute of Human Biology in Basel, Switzerland, developed the tiny tissue structures which they claim are revolutionising the way scientists study tumour development, offering a more accurate and sophisticated model than ever before.


Traditionally, cancer research has relied on animal models and simplified cell cultures, which, while valuable, fail to fully capture the complexities of tumour development. Even newer models like organoids have limitations in replicating the intricacies of actual tumours.

In a remarkable breakthrough detailed in Nature, scientists from the EPFL university, including Luis Francisco Lorenzo Martín and Tania Hubscher, alongside collaborators from Roche's Institute of Human Biology in Basel, Switzerland, explained how they have engineered mini-colons that mimic the structure and cellular diversity of real colon tissue.

They said that what sets these mini-colons apart is their ability to be induced to develop tumours at targeted locations using optogenetics - a technique that uses light to control biological processes. This approach allows researchers to observe tumour formation in real time and gain unprecedented insights into cancer evolution.

Matthias Lutolf, lead researcher and founding director of Roche's Institute of Human Biology, highlights the significance of this breakthrough.

He said: 'We used light to trigger tumorigenesis. This allows you to watch tumour formation in real-time and do very detailed analyses of a process that's very difficult to study in a mouse.'

By manipulating genetic and environmental factors, the researchers were able to replicate various tumour behaviours in the mini-colons, shedding light on key factors influencing cancer progression, such as the protein GPX2.

The team said the research provides a powerful tool for dissecting the molecular mechanisms of colorectal cancer and also offers promise for testing potential therapies, particularly when applied to human patient-derived tissues. Moreover, by reducing reliance on animal models, mini-colons can accelerate the discovery of effective treatments.

Collaborators from EPFL's Swiss Institute for Experimental Cancer Research (ISREC), the Swiss Cancer Center Leman (SCCL), and Roche Innovation Center Basel have also contributed to the work, underscoring the collaborative effort driving progress in cancer research.