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Advancement of Scaffold-Based 3D Cellular Models in Cancer Tissue Engineering: An Update
Kavitha Unnikrishnan1, Lynda Velutheril Thomas2, Ram Mohan Ram Kumar1
1Department of Cancer Research, Rajiv Gandhi Center for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram, India.
Abstract:
The lack of traditional cancer treatments has resulted in an increased need for new clinical techniques. Standard two-dimensional (2D) models used to validate drug efficacy and screening have a low in vitro-in vivo translation potential. Recreating the in vivo tumor microenvironment at the three-dimensional (3D) level is essential to resolve these limitations in the 2D culture and improve therapy results. The physical and mechanical environments of 3D culture allow cancer cells to expand in a heterogeneous manner, adopt different phenotypes, gene and protein profiles, and develop metastatic potential and drug resistance similar to human tumors. The current application of 3D scaffold culture systems based on synthetic polymers or selected extracellular matrix components promotes signalling, survival, and cancer cell proliferation. This review will focus on the recent advancement of numerous 3D-based scaffold models for cancer tissue engineering, which will increase the predictive ability of preclinical studies and significantly improve clinical translation.
Insights
Three-dimensional (3D) scaffold models are crucial for advancing cancer research. These advanced models improve the accuracy of preclinical studies, enhancing the translation of cancer therapies to clinical practice.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Tissue Engineering
Background:
- Traditional two-dimensional (2D) cancer models exhibit poor in vitro-in vivo translation, limiting drug efficacy screening.
- There is a growing need for innovative cancer treatments and more predictive preclinical models.
- Recreating the in vivo tumor microenvironment in three-dimensional (3D) cultures is essential for improving therapeutic outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in 3D scaffold models for cancer tissue engineering.
- To highlight how 3D models can enhance the predictive ability of preclinical studies.
- To discuss the potential of 3D models in improving clinical translation of cancer therapies.
Main Methods:
- Focuses on a review of current literature on 3D scaffold culture systems.
- Examines models utilizing synthetic polymers and extracellular matrix components.
- Discusses the biological and mechanical properties of 3D environments relevant to cancer.
Main Results:
- 3D scaffold cultures mimic the in vivo tumor microenvironment, enabling heterogeneous cancer cell growth.
- These models facilitate the development of phenotypes, gene/protein profiles, drug resistance, and metastatic potential similar to human tumors.
- Current 3D scaffold systems support cancer cell signaling, survival, and proliferation.
Conclusions:
- 3D scaffold models represent a significant improvement over 2D cultures for cancer research.
- Advancements in 3D cancer tissue engineering are critical for increasing the predictive power of preclinical studies.
- These models hold great promise for improving the clinical translation of novel cancer treatments.
