Tumor-microenvironment-on-a-chip: the construction and application.

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Biotechnology
• Microfluidics

Background:

• Cancer remains a leading cause of death globally, with treatment efficacy limited by tumor heterogeneity and the inability of current models to replicate the human tumor microenvironment.
• Unclear molecular mechanisms of tumorigenesis and physiological complexity further impede the development of effective cancer therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review advancements in Tumor-Microenvironment-on-Chip (TMOC) platforms for cancer research.
• To explore the applications of various TMOC types across different cancer models.
• To discuss the future potential of TMOC as a refined preclinical cancer model.

Main Methods:

• Integration of three-dimensional cell culture with microfluidic systems to create TMOC platforms.
• Simulation of key components and physiological characteristics of the in vivo tumor microenvironment.
• Review of existing literature on TMOC advancements and applications.

Main Results:

• TMOC platforms provide a dynamic in vitro system that mimics the tumor microenvironment, enabling the study of tumor progression.
• Diverse TMOC designs have been developed and applied to various cancer types.
• Current TMOC platforms show promise for advancing cancer research.

Conclusions:

• TMOC technology represents a significant step forward in simulating the tumor microenvironment for research.
• Enhanced integration with tissue engineering and microphysiological systems is crucial for developing TMOC into a more refined preclinical model.
• TMOC platforms hold potential for breakthroughs in understanding and treating cancer.