Abstract
The cancer microenvironment is known for its complexity, both in its content as well as its dynamic nature, which is difficult to study using two-dimensional (2D) cell culture models. Several advances in tissue engineering have allowed more physiologically relevant three-dimensional (3D) in vitro cancer models, such as spheroid cultures, biopolymer scaffolds, and cancer-on-a-chip devices. Although these models serve as powerful tools for dissecting the roles of various biochemical and biophysical cues in carcinoma initiation and progression, they lack the ability to control the organization of multiple cell types in a complex dynamic 3D architecture. By virtue of its ability to precisely define perfusable networks and position of various cell types in a high-throughput manner, 3D bioprinting has the potential to more closely recapitulate the cancer microenvironment, relative to current methods. In this review, we discuss the applications of 3D bioprinting in mimicking cancer microenvironment, their use in immunotherapy as prescreening tools, and overview of current bioprinted cancer models.
Highlights
The escalating cost of drug development is a deterrent for conducting clinical trials, leading to a decrease in number of innovative treatments
Apart from biochemical signaling, various physical signaling like extracellular matrix (ECM) stiffness, topography, pattern, and interstitial flow, shear stresses, or fluid forces can influence the development of tumors
A 3D bioprinted breast cancer model was fabricated using primary breast cancer cells (21PT) and adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) and cellular responses were observed under the treatment of doxorubicin (DOX)
Summary
The escalating cost of drug development is a deterrent for conducting clinical trials, leading to a decrease in number of innovative treatments. The tumor microenvironment is characterized by a bidirectional communication between the myriad cellular and noncellular components. The cells in the core area adapt to a quiescent condition and are difficult to eradicate[3]. They secrete hypoxiainducible factors and other cytokines, which can alter the physiology of neighboring cells. Several approaches have been developed for 3D modeling of the tumor microenvironment, including spheroid culture, biopolymer scaffolds, and cancer-on-a-chip platforms. These models lack the capability to precisely control the location and organization of various cellular components in a tumor microenvironment
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