Fibrosis-Encapsulated Tumoroid, A Solid Cancer Assembloid Model for Cancer Research and Drug Screening

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Biomaterials Science
• Cancer Research

Background:

• Peritumoral fibrosis significantly impacts cancer progression and treatment resistance in solid tumors.
• Existing 3D co-culture models inadequately replicate the physical barrier function of fibrosis.
• Accurate models are crucial for advancing cancer research and drug screening.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an advanced 3D cancer model that effectively mimics the tumor microenvironment with peritumoral fibrosis.
• To create a stable and functional fibrosis-encapsulated tumoroid (FET) model for extended research periods.
• To evaluate the utility of FETs in cancer research, drug screening, and mechanobiology.

Main Methods:

• A multi-layer spheroid formation technique was employed to construct the fibrosis-encapsulated tumoroid (FET).
• Structural stability of FETs was assessed over a 14-day period.
• Tumor growth, cytokine expression, drug resistance, and applications in exosomal miRNA, gene function, and mechanobiology studies were evaluated.

Main Results:

• The developed FET model demonstrated structural stability for up to 14 days.
• FETs exhibited accelerated tumor growth, increased immunosuppressive cytokine expression, and comparable or enhanced resistance to anticancer drugs.
• FETs proved versatile for studying exosomal miRNA, gene functions, and mechanobiology.

Conclusions:

• The fibrosis-encapsulated tumoroid (FET) represents a significant advancement in modeling solid tumors with peritumoral fibrosis.
• FETs offer a more accurate and stable platform compared to self-assembly 3D co-cultures for cancer research and drug screening.
• This model holds promise for improving personalized drug selection in cancer therapy.