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Updated: Nov 14, 2025
A 3D Organotypic Melanoma Spheroid Skin Model
Published on: May 18, 2018
Model Systems for the Study of Malignant Melanoma
1Department of Basic Medical Sciences, DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine at Lincoln Memorial University-Knoxville, Knoxville, TN, USA. Randy.gregg@lmunet.edu.
Abstract:
Since the first resection of melanoma by Hunter in 1787, efforts to treat patients with this deadly malignancy have been ongoing. Initial work to understand melanoma biology for therapeutics development began with the employment of isolated cancer cells grown in cell cultures. However, these models lack in vivo interactions with the tumor microenvironment. Melanoma cell line transplantation into suitable animals such as mice has been informative and useful for testing therapeutics as a preclinical model. Injection of freshly isolated patient melanomas into immunodeficient animals has shown the capacity to retain the genetic heterogeneity of the tumors, which is lost during the long-term culture of melanoma cells. Upon advancement of technology, genetically engineered animals have been generated to study the spontaneous development of melanomas in light of newly discovered genetic aberrations associated with melanoma formation. Culturing melanoma cells in a matrix generate tumor spheroids, providing an in vitro environment that promotes the heterogeneity commonplace with human melanoma and displaces the need for animal care facilities. Advanced 3D cultures have been created simulating the structure and cellularity of human skin to permit in vitro testing of therapeutics on melanomas expressing the same phenotype as demonstrated in vivo. This review will discuss these models and their relevance to the study of melanomagenesis, growth, metastasis, and therapy.
Insights
This review explores melanoma research models, from cell cultures to advanced 3D systems. These models aid in understanding melanoma development and testing new therapies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Dermatology
- Cancer Biology
Background:
- Melanoma treatment research has evolved since 1787.
- Early research relied on cell cultures, which lack tumor microenvironment interactions.
- Current models aim to replicate melanoma's complexity for better therapeutic development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review various melanoma research models.
- To discuss their relevance in studying melanoma development, growth, metastasis, and therapy.
- To highlight advancements in preclinical melanoma research.
Main Methods:
- Review of historical and current melanoma research models.
- Discussion of cell culture limitations and advancements.
- Exploration of in vivo models including immunocompetent and genetically engineered animals.
- Analysis of 3D culture systems like tumor spheroids and skin-simulating constructs.
Main Results:
- Cell cultures lack in vivo tumor microenvironment interactions.
- Patient-derived xenografts in immunodeficient animals retain tumor heterogeneity.
- Genetically engineered animal models allow study of spontaneous melanoma development.
- 3D cultures, including tumor spheroids and skin models, offer in vitro environments mimicking human melanoma heterogeneity and in vivo phenotypes.
Conclusions:
- Melanoma research models have progressed significantly from basic cell cultures.
- Advanced models like 3D cultures and genetically engineered animals provide more accurate preclinical insights.
- These improved models are crucial for understanding melanoma biology and developing effective therapies.
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