Bioprinted Human Lung Cancer-Mimics for Tissue Diagnostics Applications

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Regenerative Medicine
• Cancer Diagnostics

Background:

• Standardized control tissues are crucial for diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive assays.
• Patient-derived tissues present challenges: variable composition, unknown preanalytics, limited supply, and high costs.
• Current methods lack reproducibility and customization for specific diagnostic needs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a reproducible and sustainable method for producing customizable control tissues for diagnostics.
• To leverage 3D bioprinting technology to create native-like tissue mimics.
• To address the limitations associated with conventional patient-derived control tissues.

Main Methods:

• Utilized three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting technology with digital light processing.
• Developed a micropore-forming bioink incorporating tumor cells (anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive lung cancer).
• Fabricated structural and functional tissue mimics resembling native lung cancer tissues.

Main Results:

• Successfully produced stable, native-like anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive lung cancer tissue mimics.
• Demonstrated the potential for structural and functional relevancy in diagnostic applications.
• Showcased a reproducible strategy for generating customizable tissue-mimics.

Conclusions:

• 3D bioprinting offers a viable strategy for producing standardized and customizable control tissues.
• This methodology enhances the scope and sustainability of tissue diagnostics and 3D bioprinting.
• The developed tissue mimics hold promise for improving patient care through advanced diagnostic assays.