Abstract / Summary
Abstract Uterine leiomyomas, or fibroids, are the most common benign tumors in women, yet their pathophysiology remains poorly understood because reliable culture models are lacking. Unlike 2D culture, fibroid organ culture preserves driver mutations in smooth muscle cells while maintaining the tumor’s structural integrity, cell interactions, and heterogeneity. This study introduces an enhanced fibroid organ culture that builds on our previous model. Fresh tumor tissues were manually sectioned, placed on commercial scaffolds, and cultured under controlled conditions. Replacing the vibratome with manual slicing made tissue preparation faster and feasible across all fibroid types. Highly porous commercial scaffolds may facilitate nutrient and oxygen exchange, supporting cell viability and reducing apoptosis. This improved model supports broader adoption of fibroid organ culture using commercially available scaffolds, offering a more accessible platform for mechanistic studies and the development of targeted therapeutic strategies.