6533b7d4fe1ef96bd12631cd

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Biofabrication of 3D tumor models in cancer research

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Abstract Tumors are complex tissues in which cancer cells are interwoven with fibroblasts, endothelial cells, pericytes, and inflammatory cells; these cells and the extracellular matrix constitute the tumor microenvironment (TME). The TME can modulate the behavior of tumor cells in terms of capacity to invade neighboring or distant tissues and drug resistance, by secreting tumor-promoting growth factors and cytokines. The poor efficacy of many anticancer drugs in clinical trials can be partly justified by the lack of predictive preclinical models. Prior to in vivo testing, biofabrication of tools for investigation in three-dimensional (3D) could be useful. Indeed, cells grown in 3D matrices or as 3D aggregates (multicellular spheroids) much better recapitulate the in vivo architecture of tissues and tumors and the genetic patterns. The principal methodology for the fabrication of 3D culture models has been discussed in this chapter, highlighting the importance of these innovative models in translational medicine. Additionally, several studies have been reported for the use of 3D models for drug screening/resistance mechanisms investigation and for high-throughput screening. The 3D tumor models for analyzing the interaction between the immune system and tumor cells and studying the penetration and/or selective interaction of nanocarriers with TME cells have been also discussed. Importantly, the implementation of 3D tumor models in a clinical setting is disclosed here, providing information of the undergoing clinical trials, and discussing the overall status, main advances, and more relevant limitations.