Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 18, 2025
Generation of 3D Tumor Spheroids for Drug Evaluation Studies
Published on: February 24, 2023
3D Tumor Spheroid Models for In Vitro Therapeutic Screening of Nanoparticles
Simonas Daunys1, Agnė Janonienė1, Indrė Januškevičienė2
1Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania.
Abstract:
The anticancer activity of compounds and nanoparticles is most often determined in the cell monolayer. However, three-dimensional (3D) systems, such as tumor spheroids, are more representing the natural tumor microenvironment. They have been shown to have higher invasiveness and resistance to cytotoxic agents and radiotherapy compared to cells growing in 2D monolayer. Furthermore, to improve the prediction of clinical efficacy of drugs, in the past decades, even more sophisticated systems, such as multicellular 3D cultures, closely representing natural tumor microenvironment have been developed. Those cultures are formed from either cell lines or patient-derived tumor cells. Such models are very attractive and could improve the selection of tested materials for clinical trials avoiding unnecessary expensive tests in vivo. The microenvironment in tumor spheroids is different, and those differences or the interaction between several cell populations may contribute to different tumor response to the treatment. Also, different types of nanoparticles may have different behavior in 3D models, depending on their nature, physicochemical properties, the presence of targeting ligands on the surface, etc. Therefore, it is very important to understand in which cases which type of tumor spheroid is more suitable for testing specific types of nanoparticles, which conditions should be used, and which analytical method should be applied.
Insights
Three-dimensional (3D) tumor spheroid models offer a more realistic assessment of anticancer compounds and nanoparticles than 2D cell cultures. Understanding spheroid behavior is crucial for predicting treatment efficacy and optimizing nanoparticle testing.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Cancer Research
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Traditional 2D cell cultures are limited in mimicking the complex tumor microenvironment.
- Three-dimensional (3D) tumor spheroids and multicellular cultures provide more physiologically relevant models.
- These advanced models enhance the prediction of drug and nanoparticle efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the advantages of 3D tumor models over 2D cultures for evaluating anticancer agents.
- To emphasize the importance of understanding nanoparticle behavior within 3D tumor microenvironments.
- To guide the selection of appropriate spheroid models, conditions, and analytical methods for nanoparticle testing.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing 3D tumor spheroid and multicellular culture systems.
- Investigating the invasiveness and resistance of spheroids compared to 2D monolayers.
- Analyzing nanoparticle interactions within diverse 3D models based on their properties.
Main Results:
- 3D systems exhibit higher invasiveness and resistance to treatments than 2D cultures.
- Tumor microenvironment variations in spheroids influence treatment response.
- Nanoparticle behavior in 3D models is dependent on their characteristics and surface modifications.
Conclusions:
- 3D tumor models are superior to 2D cultures for predicting in vivo efficacy of anticancer nanoparticles.
- Tailoring spheroid models and analytical methods is essential for accurate nanoparticle assessment.
- These advanced models can optimize preclinical testing, reducing costs and improving drug development.
