Monitoring and modulation of the tumor microenvironment for enhanced cancer modeling
Tristen Head1, Nathaniel C Cady1
1College of Nanoscale Science & Engineering, State University of New York Polytechnic Institute, Albany, NY 12203, USA.
Abstract:
Cancer treatments utilizing biologic or cytotoxic drugs compose the frontline of therapy, and though gains in treatment efficacy have been persistent in recent decades, much work remains in understanding cancer progression and treatment. Compounding this situation is the low rate of success when translating preclinical drug candidates to the clinic, which raises costs and development timelines. This underperformance is due in part to the poor recapitulation of the tumor microenvironment, a critical component of cancer biology, in cancer model systems. New technologies capable of both accurately observing and manipulating the tumor microenvironment are needed to effectively model cancer response to treatment. In this review, conventional cancer models are summarized, and a primer on emerging techniques for monitoring and modulating the tumor microenvironment is presented and discussed.
Insights
Understanding cancer progression requires better preclinical models. This review discusses emerging technologies for monitoring and manipulating the tumor microenvironment to improve cancer treatment development.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Cancer Biology
Background:
- Current cancer treatments, including biologic and cytotoxic drugs, face challenges in efficacy and translation from preclinical to clinical settings.
- A key limitation in current cancer models is their inadequate representation of the tumor microenvironment, hindering accurate prediction of treatment response.
- The high cost and lengthy timelines of drug development are exacerbated by the low success rate of preclinical candidates in clinical trials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review conventional cancer models and their limitations in recapitulating the tumor microenvironment.
- To introduce and discuss emerging technologies for observing and manipulating the tumor microenvironment.
- To highlight the need for advanced model systems to improve the understanding of cancer progression and treatment response.
Main Methods:
- Summary of established cancer modeling techniques.
- Review of novel technologies for real-time monitoring of the tumor microenvironment.
- Discussion of methods for active modulation of the tumor microenvironment in experimental systems.
Main Results:
- Conventional models often fail to capture the complexity of the in vivo tumor microenvironment.
- Emerging technologies offer enhanced capabilities for observing cellular and molecular dynamics within the tumor microenvironment.
- New techniques provide avenues for manipulating the tumor microenvironment to better simulate clinical conditions.
Conclusions:
- Accurate modeling of the tumor microenvironment is crucial for advancing cancer research and therapy.
- Technological advancements in monitoring and modulating the tumor microenvironment are essential for improving preclinical models.
- Developing more predictive cancer models will facilitate the successful translation of novel therapeutics to the clinic.
