Background:
Oral cancer is ranked higher for mortality than for incidence, despite progress in oral cancer research. Oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) a very diverse group of lesions with an increased risk of malignant change. Currently, the presence of oral epithelial dysplasia is the most reliable predictive indicator for malignant progression in OPMDs. We have previously shown that oral precancer models are poorly reported and that there is a deficit in 3D oral precancer models. Addressing these issues will help in the early detection of OPMDs and prevention of oral cancer.
Patient-derived organoids (PDOs) are three dimensional in vitro models. PDOs faithfully conserve parental gene expression and mutational features from which they are derived. PDOs can be used for drug screening and testing, molecular pathway and biomarker discovery, toxicity assays as well as personalized medicine.
Objectives:
To establish and assess PDOs from normal and oral epithelial dysplasia.
Methods:
Following ethical approval, patient oral samples from histologically confirmed normal epithelium and dysplastic precancerous epithelium were isolated. After tissue processing these samples were seeded in 3D domes using Matrigel in an enriched media to stimulate organoid growth.
Results:
We have observed microscopic tissue aggregation that have grown progressively over time into mature organoids. Confirmation of histological diagnosis of the organoids has been undertaken as well as created a biobank of these organoids.
Conclusions/Implications:  
Our PDOs represent a promising future for oral cancer research and will aid in understanding the exact molecular changes implicated in the transformation from precancer to cancer and assist in oral cancer prevention.