Multiorgan-on-a-chip: an advanced platform for disease modeling, drug toxicity assessment, and therapeutic screening

Multiorgan-on-a-chip (MOoC) systems are advanced microfluidic devices that integrate multiple organ models into a single modular unit, each composed of cells derived from various tissues or organs. These systems enable interorgan communication and accurately replicate physiological conditions, providing a more physiologically relevant modeling framework for constructing disease models and predicting drug efficacy and toxicity. MOoC systems also provide significant advantages in terms of flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and reproducibility, making them valuable tools for drug development and toxicity assessment. In this review, we first provide an overview of the MOoC technology, covering cell sources, stimulations, materials and fabrication techniques, and biosensors. We then examine the application of MOoC systems in disease modeling, focusing on cancer metastasis, metabolic disorders, and cardiovascular disease. We next discuss the use of MOoC systems in drug toxicity evaluation and drug screening, emphasizing their role in providing comprehensive assessments of drug effects. Finally, we address the challenges it faces and the future perspectives of the MOoC technology.