Controllable organization and high throughput production of recoverable 3D tumors using pneumatic microfluidics

Three-dimensional tumor culture methods offer a high degree of biological and clinical relevance to in vitro models as well as cancer therapy. However, a straightforward, dynamic, and high-throughput method for micro-manipulation of 3D tumors is not yet well established. In this study, we present a novel and simple strategy for producing biomimetic 3D tumors in a controllable, high throughput manner based on an integrated microfluidic system with well-established pneumatic microstructures. Serial manipulations, including one-step cell localization, array-like self-assembly, and real-time analysis of 3D tumors, are accomplished smoothly in the microfluidic device. The recovery of tumor products from the chip is performed by dynamic off-switch of the pneumatic microstructures. In addition, this microfluidic platform is demonstrated to be capable of producing multiple types of 3D tumors and performing the evaluation of tumor targeting by nanomedicine. The pneumatic microfluidic-based 3D tumor production shows potential for research on tumor biology, tissue engineering, and drug delivery.