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A Biomimetic Model for Liver Cancer to Study Tumor-Stroma Interactions in a 3D Environment with Tunable Bio-Physical Properties
Published on: August 7, 2020
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In vitro 3D liver tumor microenvironment models for immune cell therapy optimization
Maxine Lam1, Jose Antonio Reales-Calderon1, Jin Rong Ow1
1Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (ASTAR), Singapore, Singapore.
APL Bioengineering
|October 11, 2021
Summary
Liver cancer remains a significant global health challenge. This review explores advanced in vitro liver cancer models and immunotherapy strategies to improve disease understanding and treatment.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Liver cancer causes over 18 million deaths annually worldwide.
- Current in vitro models require enhanced physiological relevance for accurate cancer research.
- Improved models are crucial for understanding cancer progression and treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review hepatocellular carcinoma microenvironmental characteristics.
- To illustrate current immunotherapy strategies for liver cancer.
- To present advanced 2D and 3D in vitro liver cancer models.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of hepatocellular carcinoma microenvironment.
- Analysis of current immunotherapy approaches.
- Compilation and discussion of existing and next-generation in vitro liver cancer models.
Main Results:
- Hepatocellular carcinoma microenvironmental features are detailed.
- Current immunotherapy strategies are outlined.
- A range of 2D and 3D in vitro models are presented, highlighting their capabilities and limitations.
Conclusions:
- There is a critical need for more physiologically relevant in vitro models.
- Next-generation models aim to recapitulate tumor microenvironment complexity.
- Advancements in in vitro modeling are essential for improving liver cancer treatment options.
