Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 26, 2025

3D Cell-Printed Hypoxic Cancer-on-a-Chip for Recapitulating Pathologic Progression of Solid Cancer
Published on: January 5, 2021
Knockout cancer by nano-delivered immunotherapy using perfusion-aided scaffold-based tumor-on-a-chip
Pooja Suryavanshi1,2, Dhananjay Bodas1,2
1Nanobioscience Group, Agharkar Research Institute, G.G. Agarkar Road, Pune 411 004 India.
Abstract:
Cancer is a multifactorial disease produced by mutations in the oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, which result in uncontrolled cell proliferation and resistance to cell death. Cancer progresses due to the escape of altered cells from immune monitoring, which is facilitated by the tumor's mutual interaction with its microenvironment. Understanding the mechanisms involved in immune surveillance evasion and the significance of the tumor microenvironment might thus aid in developing improved therapies. Although in vivo models are commonly utilized, they could be better for time, cost, and ethical concerns. As a result, it is critical to replicate an in vivo model and recreate the cellular and tissue-level functionalities. A 3D cell culture, which gives a 3D architecture similar to that found in vivo, is an appropriate model. Furthermore, numerous cell types can be cocultured, establishing cellular interactions between TME and tumor cells. Moreover, microfluidics perfusion can provide precision flow rates, thus simulating tissue/organ function. Immunotherapy can be used with the perfused 3D cell culture technique to help develop successful therapeutics. Immunotherapy employing nano delivery can target the spot and silence the responsible genes, ensuring treatment effectiveness while minimizing adverse effects. This study focuses on the importance of 3D cell culture in understanding the pathophysiology of 3D tumors and TME, the function of TME in drug resistance, tumor progression, and the development of advanced anticancer therapies for high-throughput drug screening.
Insights
3D cell cultures and microfluidics offer advanced models for studying cancer progression and the tumor microenvironment (TME). This approach aids in developing effective immunotherapies and high-throughput drug screening for cancer treatment.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Biotechnology
- Immunology
Background:
- Cancer arises from genetic mutations leading to uncontrolled cell growth and evasion of immune surveillance.
- Tumor progression is influenced by complex interactions within the tumor microenvironment (TME).
- Current in vivo models present limitations in time, cost, and ethics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the significance of 3D cell culture and microfluidics in cancer research.
- To explore the role of the TME in drug resistance and tumor advancement.
- To investigate the development of novel anticancer therapies using advanced in vitro models.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing 3D cell culture to mimic in vivo tumor architecture and cellular interactions.
- Employing microfluidics perfusion to simulate physiological tissue/organ function.
- Integrating immunotherapy with perfused 3D cell cultures for therapeutic development.
Main Results:
- 3D cell cultures effectively replicate tumor pathophysiology and TME interactions.
- Microfluidic perfusion enables precise simulation of tissue-level functions.
- Perfused 3D models combined with immunotherapy show promise for targeted cancer treatment.
Conclusions:
- 3D cell culture and microfluidics are crucial for understanding cancer and TME.
- These advanced models facilitate high-throughput drug screening and development of next-generation immunotherapies.
- Targeted therapies, including nano delivery, can enhance treatment efficacy and minimize side effects.
More Related Videos
07:26Author Spotlight: Creating Human Vascularized Micro-Tumors as Models for Translational Cancer Research
Published on: September 15, 2023
09:53Quantifying the Brain Metastatic Tumor Micro-Environment using an Organ-On-A Chip 3D Model, Machine Learning, and Confocal Tomography
Published on: August 16, 2020