GAZI UNIVERSITY JOURNAL OF SCIENCE, cilt.6, sa.2, ss.343-374, 2025 (ESCI, Scopus, TRDizin)
In recent years, there has been a growing interest in co-culturing immune cells with tumor organoids, providing valuable insights into the complex interactions between tumors and the immune system. This review summarizes recent advancements in the development of tumor–immune cell organoids that model interactions between immune cells and the tumor microenvironment. It first provides an overview of tumor formation, the major components of the tumor microenvironment, and the key immune cell types involved in these interactions. Particular attention is given to the biochemical and mechanical properties of the extracellular matrix, and their influence on intercellular signaling, cell migration, and immune cell accessibility to the tumor. The emergence of three dimensional culture techniques, the use of patient-derived samples, and advanced platforms such as organ-on-a-chip systems have enabled the modeling of tumor–immune interactions under more physiologically relevant conditions. Finally, the review discusses the use of these models in clinical research, their contributions to understanding tumor biology, and their potential future applications.