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Production of Large Numbers of Size-controlled Tumor Spheroids Using Microwell Plates
Published on: November 18, 2013
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Gradient-sized control of tumor spheroids on a single chip
Guocheng Fang1, Hongxu Lu1, Andrew Law2
1Institute for Biomedical Materials and Devices, Faculty of Science, The University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, New South Wales 2007, Australia. Hongxu.Lu@uts.edu.au.
Lab on a Chip
|November 13, 2019
Summary
Researchers developed a novel liquid-dome method to create numerous gradient-sized multicellular tumor spheroids for better in vitro cancer models. This technique efficiently generates diverse spheroid sizes, crucial for drug screening and understanding tumor behavior.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Cancer Research
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Multicellular tumor spheroids (MCTS) are vital in vitro models for cancer research due to their physiological relevance.
- Spheroid size critically influences drug penetration, cellular responses, and overall tumor behavior.
- Generating a large number of gradient-sized spheroids efficiently remains a significant challenge in current research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel method for the simultaneous production of a large number of gradient-sized multicellular tumor spheroids.
- To investigate the use of surface tension and liquid dome configurations for precise size control of spheroids.
- To validate the utility of this method for in vitro tumor modeling and drug screening applications.
Main Methods:
- A liquid-dome method utilizing an agarose chip was employed to generate over 200 gradient-sized spheroids concurrently.
- Surface tension effects were manipulated by varying liquid dome configurations (hemispheric, square) to control spheroid size.
- MCF-7 cells and co-cultures with fibroblasts were used to demonstrate concept validation and assess cell behavior within spheroids.
Main Results:
- The liquid-dome method successfully produced a large quantity of gradient-sized spheroids, with different dome configurations yielding significant size variations (up to 12.8-fold larger area).
- Fibroblast aggregation towards the spheroid center was observed in co-culture experiments.
- Size-dependent behaviors, including growth, drug penetration, and cellular responses, were profiled, highlighting differences between larger and smaller spheroids.
Conclusions:
- The liquid-dome method offers an efficient and scalable approach for generating gradient-sized multicellular tumor spheroids, overcoming previous limitations.
- This technique significantly reduces the time and labor required for spheroid preparation.
- The developed method holds substantial promise for advancing drug screening platforms and in vitro tumor modeling.
