Modeling the Bone Marrow Niche in Multiple Myeloma: From 2D Cultures to 3D Systems

Multiple myeloma is a hematologic malignancy characterized by the clonal proliferation of plasma cells within the bone marrow. The tumor microenvironment plays a crucial role in multiple myeloma pathogenesis, progression, and drug resistance. Traditional two-dimensional cell culture models have been instrumental in multiple myeloma research. However, they fail to recapitulate the complex in vivo bone marrow microenvironment, leading to limited predictive value for clinical outcomes. Three-dimensional cell culture models emerged as more physiologically relevant systems, offering enhanced insights into multiple myeloma biology. Scaffold-based systems (e.g., hydrogels, collagen, and Matrigel), scaffold-free spheroids, and bioprinted models have been developed to simulate the bone marrow microenvironment, incorporating key components like mesenchymal stromal cells, osteoblasts, endothelial cells, and immune cells. These models enable the functional assessment of cell adhesion-mediated drug resistance, cytokine signaling networks, and hypoxia-induced adaptations, which are often lost in 2D cultures. Moreover, 3D platforms demonstrated improved predictive value in preclinical drug screening, facilitating the evaluation of novel agents and combination therapies in a setting that better mimics the in vivo tumor context. Hence, 3D cultures represent a pivotal step toward bridging the gap between basic myeloma research and translational applications, supporting the development of more effective and patient-specific therapies.