Combined Application of Patient-Derived Cells and Biomaterials as 3D In Vitro Tumor Models

Cancers

Claudio Ricci¹  Serena Danti¹  Ozan Karabulut²  Ruben Edgar Reyes²  Sue Anne Chew²  Alessandro Franchi³  Asbiel Hasbum⁴ 

[1]Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering, University of Pisa, 56122 Pisa, Italy

[2]Department of Health and Biomedical Sciences, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Brownsville, TX 78520, USA

[3]Department of Translational Research and New Technology in Medicine and Surgery, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy

[4]School of Medicine, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Edinburg, TX 78520, USA

关键词: personalized therapy;    scaffold;    tissue engineering;    primary cancer cells;    experimental models;    screening;   

DOI  :  10.3390/cancers14102503

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Although advances have been made in cancer therapy, cancer remains the second leading cause of death in the U.S. and Europe, and thus efforts to continue to study and discover better treatment methods are ongoing. Three-dimensional (3D) tumor models have shown advantages over bi-dimensional (2D) cultures in evaluating the efficacy of chemotherapy. This commentary aims to highlight the potential of combined application of biomaterials with patient-derived cancer cells as a 3D in vitro model for the study and treatment of cancer patients. Five studies were discussed which demonstrate and provided early evidence to create 3D models with accurate microenvironments that are comparable to in vivo tumors. To date, the use of patient-derived cells for a more personalized approach to healthcare in combination with biomaterials to create a 3D tumor is still relatively new and uncommon for application in clinics. Although highly promising, it is important to acknowledge the current limitations and challenges of developing these innovative in vitro models, including the need for biologists and laboratory technicians to become familiar with biomaterial scaffolds, and the effort for bioengineers to create easy-to-handle scaffolds for routine assessment.

【 授权许可】

Unknown