Microdissected tumor cuboids: a microscale cancer model for large-scale testing that retains a complex tumor microenvironment.

Current cancer disease models fail to faithfully recapitulate key features of the human tumor microenvironment (TME), such as immune and vascular cells, while simultaneously enabling high-throughput drug tests. We have recently developed a precision slicing method that optimizes the yield of large numbers of cuboidal microtissues ("cuboids", ∼(400 µm) 3 ) from a single tumor biopsy. Here we demonstrate that cuboids from syngeneic mouse tumor models and human tumors retain a complex TME, making them amenable for drug and immunotherapy evaluation. We characterize relevant TME parameters, such as cellular architecture, cytokine secretion, proteomics profiles, and response to drug panels in multi-well arrays. Despite the cutting procedure and the time spent in culture (up to 7 days), the cuboids display strong cytokine and drug responses, including to immunotherapy. Overall, our results suggest that cuboids could provide invaluable therapeutic information for personalized oncology applications, and could help the development of TME-dependent therapeutics and cancer disease models, including for clinical trials.

Outcomes of a non-randomised audit of single pigtail suture stents in urolithiasis management of Asian patients in Singapore.

Objective: Double-J (DJ) ureteric stents are commonly placed perioperatively for semirigid or flexible ureteroscopic renal surgery. It is believed that lesser stent material within the bladder mitigates stent-related symptoms. This study aimed to evaluate the J-Fil ureteral stent, a single pigtail suture stent compared with conventional DJ stent in relation to stent symptoms in an Asian population undergoing ureterorenal intervention. Methods: Based on internal audit committee recommendation approval, the records of 50 patients retrieved, available data of 41 patients who were prospectively enrolled into two groups (Group 1 [J-Fil stent group], n=21 and Group 2 [DJ stent group], n=20) between August 2020 to January 2021, were analysed. Parameters compared were nature of procedure, stone location and size, ease of deployment or removal, and complications. A modified universal stent symptom questionnaire was used to assess morbidity of stent symptoms within 48 h of insertion and at removal. Results: Both groups had similar median age, distribution in male to female ratio, and stone size. The overall median universal stent symptom questionnaire score at insertion was similar for bladder pain, flank or loin pain, and quality of life between Group 1 and 2; however, at removal Group 1 fared significantly better than Group 2, especially for flank or loin pain and pain at voiding. Both groups had similar ease in insertion with no hospital readmissions. Conclusion: Our audit favoured the single pigtail suture stent in Asian ureters in mitigating stent-related issues. It showed a good safety profile with easy deployment and removal. It promises a new standard in stenting.