
Navigating the complex path to precision oncology: The cover image symbolizes the diverse landscape of preclinical patient-derived cultivation models for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). As biomarkers alone often fail to sufficiently predict individual treatment responses in the clinic, our review highlights the pivotal role of advanced model systems—such as patient-derived xenografts (PDXs), organoids (PDOs), organotypic tissue slice cultures (OTSCs), and cancer-on-chip technologies. These models bridge the gap between bench and bedside by integrating key biological determinants, including the tumor microenvironment and intratumoral heterogeneity, which are major drivers of treatment resistance in PDAC. By providing a comprehensive overview of current advances and clinical translation efforts, this review underscores how individualized "avatar" systems can refine treatment stratification and potentially improve the dismal prognosis of patients with pancreatic cancer. This cover image was generated using AI-assisted tools (ChatGPT). The authors confirm that it contains no identifiable human likenesses, copyrighted elements, or misleading content.
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