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3D bioprinted cancer models: from basic biology to drug development
Lena Neufeld1, Eilam Yeini1, Sabina Pozzi1
1Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
Abstract:
Effort invested in the development of new drugs often fails to be translated into meaningful clinical benefits for patients with cancer. The development of more effective anticancer therapeutics and accurate prediction of their clinical merit remain urgent unmet medical needs. As solid cancers have complex and heterogeneous structures composed of different cell types and extracellular matrices, three-dimensional (3D) cancer models hold great potential for advancing our understanding of cancer biology, which has been historically investigated in tumour cell cultures on rigid plastic plates. Advanced 3D bioprinted cancer models have the potential to revolutionize the way we discover therapeutic targets, develop new drugs and personalize anticancer therapies in an accurate, reproducible, clinically translatable and robust manner. These ex vivo cancer models are already replacing existing in vitro systems and could, in the future, diminish or even replace the use of animal models. Therefore, profound understanding of the differences in tumorigenesis between 2D, 3D and animal models of cancer is essential. This Review presents the state of the art of 3D bioprinted cancer modelling, focusing on the biological processes that underlie the molecular mechanisms involved in cancer progression and treatment response as well as on proteomic and genomic signatures.
Insights
Three-dimensional (3D) bioprinted cancer models offer a more accurate and reproducible platform for developing anticancer drugs and understanding cancer biology. These advanced models show promise in replacing traditional 2D cell cultures and animal studies.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Cancer Research
- Drug Development
Background:
- Current drug development for cancer faces challenges in translating preclinical findings to clinical benefits.
- Traditional 2D cell cultures on plastic plates do not fully replicate the complex tumor microenvironment.
- There is a critical need for more effective anticancer therapeutics and accurate methods to predict their clinical efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the state-of-the-art in 3D bioprinted cancer models.
- To highlight the potential of these models in advancing cancer biology understanding and drug discovery.
- To discuss the clinical translatability and robustness of 3D bioprinted cancer models.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on 3D bioprinted cancer models.
- Focus on biological processes, molecular mechanisms in cancer progression, and treatment response.
- Analysis of proteomic and genomic signatures in 3D cancer models.
Main Results:
- 3D bioprinted cancer models accurately mimic the complex cellular heterogeneity and extracellular matrix of solid tumors.
- These models provide a more relevant platform for studying cancer biology compared to 2D cultures.
- 3D bioprinted models demonstrate potential for accurate drug screening, target identification, and personalized therapy development.
Conclusions:
- Advanced 3D bioprinted cancer models are revolutionizing cancer research and drug development.
- These ex vivo models offer a reproducible, clinically translatable alternative to existing in vitro and in vivo systems.
- A profound understanding of 3D bioprinted models is essential for improving anticancer therapies and potentially reducing reliance on animal models.
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