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Generation of 3D Tumor Spheroids for Drug Evaluation Studies
Published on: February 24, 2023
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An Integrative Bioorthogonal Nanoengineering Strategy for Dynamically Constructing Heterogenous Tumor Spheroids.
Yurui Xu1, Anwei Zhou2, Weiwei Chen1
1National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures, Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Chemistry and Biomedicine Innovation Center, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Artificial Functional Materials, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China.
Advanced Materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)
|October 6, 2023
Summary
A novel bioorthogonal nanoengineering strategy (BONE) creates dynamic tumor spheroids. This method mimics in vivo complexity, improving cancer research and therapeutic response studies.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Cancer Research
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Current cell culture methods struggle to replicate in vivo tumor complexity, leading to unpredictable results.
- Organotypic tumor models with native characteristics are crucial for advancing cancer aetiology and treatment understanding.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a bioorthogonal nanoengineering strategy (BONE) for constructing photothermal dynamic tumor spheroids.
- To create a more accurate in vitro model that bridges the gap between in vitro and in vivo cancer research.
Main Methods:
- Incorporation of bioorthogonal azide reporters into cell surface glycoconjugates using biosynthetic machinery.
- Reaction with a multivalent click ligand (ClickRod) composed of hyaluronic acid-functionalized gold nanorods.
- Utilizing photothermal activity of ClickRod to promote cell activity and shape the tumor microenvironment.
Main Results:
- Rapid construction of heterogeneous tumor spheroids containing cancer and immune cells.
- ClickRod's photothermal activity induced dynamic tumor features like cell heterogeneity and physiological gradients.
- Successful improvement of subcutaneous xenograft models under mild photo-stimulation.
Conclusions:
- BONE provides the first bioorthogonal nanoengineering strategy for dynamic tumor models.
- This approach offers a promising platform for investigating tumorigenesis and therapeutic responses.
- The developed method significantly advances cancer research by enhancing in vitro-in vivo correlation.
