Dr. Maximilian Kramer-Drauberg, cbmed, Graz
Automation is a key factor for translating functional precision oncology into clinically actionable workflows. We present a fully automated ex vivo compound screening platform designed for high‑throughput profiling of patient‑derived cell (PDC) 3D tumor spheroids. The workflow integrates rapid tissue processing, standardized liquid‑handling-based compound dispensing in 384‑well format, automated ATP‑based viability readouts, and seamless data capture within an integrated TQM/LIMS environment. This high level of automation minimizes manual variability, increases throughput, and supports delivery of patient‑specific drug sensitivity profiles within a maximum of 21 days.
A QC‑guided analytics pipeline performs automated dose-response modeling and computes quantitative metrics including Drug Sensitivity Scores (DSS) and area under the curve metrics (AUC), enabling robust and reproducible assessment of drug efficacy. The platform serves as the technological backbone for ATTRACT, the first randomized Phase II clinical trial evaluating whether PDC‑guided treatment decisions can improve outcomes in newly diagnosed glioblastoma patients (IDH‑wildtype, MGMT‑unmethylated).
To date, several hundred patient samples across diverse tumor types have been processed and biobanked using this automated workflow. This work demonstrates how scalable automation can bridge laboratory innovation and real‑world clinical decision‑making, while also creating a powerful translational resource for drug mechanism studies and combination‑therapy discovery.
