Abstract
Breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) are tumor-initiating cells responsible for metastasis and tumor reappearance, but their research is limited by the impossibility to cultivate them in a monolayer culture. Scaffolds are three-dimensional (3D) cell culture systems which avoid problems related with culturing BCSC. However, a standardized scaffold for enhancing a BCSC population is still an open issue. The main aim of this study is to establish a suitable poly (lactic acid) (PLA) scaffold which will produce BCSC enrichment, thus allowing them to be studied. Different 3D printing parameters were analyzed using Taguchi experimental design methods. Several PLA scaffold architectures were manufactured using a Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) 3D printer. They were then evaluated by cell proliferation assay and the configurations with the highest growth rates were subjected to BCSC quantification by ALDH activity. The design SS1 (0.2 mm layer height, 70% infill density, Zigzag infill pattern, 45° infill direction, and 100% flow) obtained the highest proliferation rate and was capable of enhancing a ALDH+ cell population compared to 2D cell culture. In conclusion, the data obtained endorse the PLA porous scaffold as useful for culturing breast cancer cells in a microenvironment similar to in vivo and increasing the numbers of BCSCs.
Highlights
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second cause of cancer death among women [1]
aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH)+ cell population when compared to the monolayer cells. These results indicated that scaffolds avoid differentiation of Breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) population
Scaffold design was saved in a stereolithography (STL) file which was transferred to the computer-aided manufacturing (CAM)
Summary
Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second cause of cancer death among women [1]. Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is characterized by the lack of estrogen and progesterone receptors and no overexpression of human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 [2]. It accounts for 15–20% of the patients diagnosed with breast cancer [3]. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a tumor-initiating subpopulation responsible for tumor recurrence as a result of their resistance to the anti-cancer therapy [6,7,8,9]. A breast cancer stem cell (BCSC) population could become a potential target for breast cancer treatment, and in particular, the TNBC subtype
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
