Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 12, 2026
07:46
Microfluidic Co-Culture Models for Dissecting the Immune Response in in vitro Tumor Microenvironments
Published on: April 30, 2021
Microengineered tumor models: insights & opportunities from a physical sciences-oncology perspective.
Peter DelNero1, Young Hye Song1, Claudia Fischbach2,3,4
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA.
Biomedical Microdevices
|April 6, 2013
Summary
Advanced micro-tumor engineering platforms accurately mimic cancer's complex microenvironment. These tissue engineering and microfabrication systems improve understanding of tumor development and accelerate drug discovery for new cancer therapies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Tissue Engineering
Background:
- The tumor microenvironment significantly influences cancer development and progression.
- Current limitations in recapitulating tumor physiology hinder therapeutic development.
- Organotypic culture systems are needed to accurately model cancer pathology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review advancements in micro-tumor engineering for modeling cancer.
- To highlight the role of tissue engineering and microfabrication in creating realistic tumor models.
- To emphasize the impact on understanding tumor pathogenesis and drug discovery.
Main Methods:
- Integration of tissue engineering with microfabrication technologies.
- Development of platforms to control microenvironmental factors (e.g., soluble signals, extracellular matrix, cellular composition).
- Mimicking tumor heterogeneity and tissue-level phenomena with pathological fidelity.
Main Results:
- These engineered systems elucidate the role of the microenvironment in cancer.
- Platforms allow for precise control over spatiotemporal presentation of signals and matrix properties.
- Improved recapitulation of tumor physiology enhances drug discovery and screening.
Conclusions:
- Micro-tumor engineering offers a powerful approach to study cancer pathogenesis.
- These advanced models are crucial for developing targeted therapies, especially those affecting stromal components.
- Further development in this field promises to significantly impact cancer treatment strategies.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
02:43Mouse Models of Cancer Study
Mice have long served as models for studying human biology and pathology because of their phylogenetic and physiological similarity with humans. They are also easy to maintain and breed in the laboratory, and hence, many inbred strains are now available for research. Studies on mice have contributed immeasurably to our understanding of cancer biology.
The development of transgenic, knockout, and knock-in mice has led to an exponential increase in their use as model organisms in research,...
The development of transgenic, knockout, and knock-in mice has led to an exponential increase in their use as model organisms in research,...
02:43Mouse Models of Cancer Study
Mice have long served as models for studying human biology and pathology because of their phylogenetic and physiological similarity with humans. They are also easy to maintain and breed in the laboratory, and hence, many inbred strains are now available for research. Studies on mice have contributed immeasurably to our understanding of cancer biology.
The development of transgenic, knockout, and knock-in mice has led to an exponential increase in their use as model organisms in research,...
The development of transgenic, knockout, and knock-in mice has led to an exponential increase in their use as model organisms in research,...