In certain example embodiments, the invention provides a method of generating an ex vivo cell-based system comprising dissociating an original tissue sample obtained from a subject into a single cell population; determining an in vivo phenotype of the tissue sample by conducting single-cell RNA analysis on a first portion of the single cells; establishing an ex vivo cell-based system from a second portion of the single cells; and culturing the ex vivo cell-based system in a medium or conditions selected to maintain the in vivo phenotype. In some embodiments, the original tissue sample is a tumor tissue sample, such as a pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) tumor sample.

The present invention discloses a method for analysis of drug resistance of tumor cells. The method includes the steps of: (a) providing silicon dioxide nanoparticles, polystyrene-co-polyacrylic acid nanoparticles or metal-organic framework nanoparticles; (b) co-incubating the silicon dioxide nanoparticles, the polystyrene-co-polyacrylic acid nanoparticles or the metal-organic framework nanoparticles with the tumor cells; and (c) detecting endocytosis of the silicon dioxide nanoparticles, the polystyrene-co-polyacrylic acid nanoparticles or the metal-organic framework nanoparticles by the tumor cells. The analysis method of the present invention can analytically identify drug-resistant tumor cells in a clear, intuitive and efficient way. The provided nanoparticles feature simple synthesis processes that take short periods of time, and after they are co-incubated with the tumor cells, a flow cytometer is used for detection. Based on a result of the detection, a degree of drug-resistance of the tumor cells and a proportion of drug-resistant cells therein are determined, making the method simple and efficient.

An array platform for three-dimensional cell culturing and drug testing and screening is disclosed. In the array platform, a hydrogel-cell mixture injection area is configured to inject a plurality of kinds of hydrogel-cell mixtures. Cell observation areas are connected to the hydrogel-cell mixture injection area. Electrodes are disposed under the cell observation areas and automatic cell quantification and three-dimensional cell co-arrangement of the plurality of kinds of hydrogel-cell mixtures in the cell observation areas through the electrodes to imitate a structure of body's tissues. A drug injection area is configured to inject a plurality of kinds of drugs. Drug combination generators respectively correspond to the cell observation areas and are connected to the drug injection area. Each drug combination generator has a microfluidic channel structure and configured to generate drug combinations according to the plurality of kinds of drugs.

Described herein are methods of characterizing agent incorporation into condensates, methods of reducing transcription of oncogenes associated with condensates, and methods of using peptides to inhibit nuclear receptor and cofactor binding in condensates.

Methods of treating a subject with cancer with CD8 T cell-mediated immune therapy are provided. The methods include measuring an amount of CXCR3-positive T cells in a peripheral blood sample or a tumor sample from a subject with cancer following treatment of the subject with at least one dose of the CD8 T cell-mediated therapy and comparing the amount of CXCR3-positive T cells in the sample to a control. Responsiveness of the cancer to the CD8 T cell-mediated therapy is predicted based on whether there is an increase or decrease in the amount of CXCR3-positive T cells in the sample. Methods further including treating the subject with at least one additional dose of the CD8 T cell-mediated immune therapy are also provided.

Engineered tissue models based on three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds, also referred to herein as tissue-engineered 3D models, can be used as in vitro diagnostic and drug screening tools for predicting, preventing and/or treating cancer metastases.

The present invention provides compositions, systems, kits, and methods for analyzing the interaction of T-cells and neoantigen presenting cells (and other cells) via discrete entity (e.g., droplet) microfluids. In certain embodiments, a microfluidic device is used to merge a discrete entity containing a T-cell, and a discrete entity containing a neoantigen presenting cell, at a merger region via a trapping element in order to generate a combined discrete entity. In particular embodiments, at least one thousand of such combined discrete entities are formed in about one second. In some embodiments, whether the receptor on the T-cell sufficiently binds the neoantigen to activate the T-Cell is detected (e.g., via detection of cytokine or granzyme B release). In certain embodiments, provided herein are methods for identifying polyfunctional T-cells or NK-cells, as well as methods of screening for such cells that would be cytotoxic if injected into a subject.

Provided is a method for predicting sensitivity of a cancer cell to a helicase inhibitor, the method comprising the step of: predicting a cancer cell having at least one mutation detected selected from the first group consisting of TTK mutation and RAD 50 mutation, as having sensitivity to a helicase inhibitor, or predicting a cancer cell having at least one mutation detected selected from the second group consisting of RAD 50 mutation, MRE 11 mutation, NBN mutation, DNA 2 mutation and RBBP 8 mutation, as having sensitivity to a helicase inhibitor.

The present invention relates to a method for screening an anticancer agent by causing drosophila having the characteristics of a) expression of mutant Ras85D, b) deletion or suppressed expression of a p53 gene, c) overexpression of a cyclin E gene, and d) deletion or suppressed expression of a Med gene to ingest a test substance and comparing the survival rate thereof with the survival rate of drosophila that did not ingest the test substance. The present invention also relates to a combination drug of at least two kinase inhibitors for treatment of pancreatic cancer and to kinase inhibitors for use in said combination drug.

The invention aims to provide a method of screening for a therapeutic drug for cancer as a molecular-targeted drug targeting some protein from a number of candidate target proteins, without identifying the true target protein. In particular, the invention provides a method of screening for a therapeutic drug for cancer, including (i) a step of expressing an exogenous cell regulatory factor in a target cancer cell under contact or no contact with a test substance, (ii) a step of confirming change in the cancer cell, and (iii) a step of selecting the test substance as a therapeutic drug for cancer when the change of cancer cell increased under contact with the test substance as compared to no contact therewith.