Exploring Cancer Cell Behavior In Vitro in Three-Dimensional Multicellular Bioprintable Collagen-Based Hydrogels

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology
• Cancer Research
• Materials Science

Background:

• 3D spheroid models are common for studying solid tumors but lack crucial morphological details affecting chemical response.
• Existing models often fail to accurately replicate tumor microenvironments, limiting their predictive power in cancer research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate miniaturized, centimeter-scale 3D cancer models using collagen type I-based bioprintable bioinks.
• To evaluate the efficacy of these novel bioinks in mimicking neuroblastoma tumor characteristics and enabling advanced drug response studies.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of 3D cancer models using collagen type I-based bioprintable bioinks.
• Culturing cancer cells within bioinks to assess cellular behavior, matrix production, and morphological features.
• Bioprinting compartmentalized 3D models and evaluating their structural stability and rheological properties.

Main Results:

• Bioprintable bioinks successfully supported cancer cell formation of Homer Wright-like rosettes, maintained proliferation, and produced a Vimentin-rich matrix.
• Bioprinted models exhibited centimeter-scale compartmentalization, unlike non-bioprintable counterparts.
• Bioprintable bioinks prevented hydrogel contraction, ensuring stable mechanical properties crucial for 3D bioprinted models.

Conclusions:

• The developed bioprintable bioink system offers a superior 3D cancer model for neuroblastoma research, surpassing limitations of traditional spheroid models.
• This advanced model facilitates mechanistic insights into tumor growth, invasion, and drug delivery.
• The system holds significant potential for precision medicine, enabling personalized drug response testing using patient-derived tumor cells, especially for aggressive or therapy-resistant neuroblastomas.