New 3D Cancer Models Integrated into Cancer Dependency Map, Revealing Novel Drug Targets

Scientists from the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard have expanded the Cancer Dependency Map (DepMap) to include nearly 150 cancer models grown as 3D cultures (organoids or spheroids) across 10 cancer types. This integration has made DepMap a more comprehensive resource, revealing new dependencies in 3D models not observed in 2D counterparts and generating data for cancer subtypes that only grow in 3D, such as certain brain and gastrointestinal cancers. The findings, published in Nature, provide valuable insights for researchers to identify more drug targets and disease-driving mechanisms.