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Updated: Jan 15, 2026
Pancreatic Tissue-Derived Extracellular Matrix Bioink for Printing 3D Cell-Laden Pancreatic Tissue Constructs
Published on: December 13, 2019
A 3D Bioprinted Pancreatic Cancer Model Using Collagen-Gelatin Methacrylamide-Alginate Bioinks to Mimic the
Uxia Gato-Diaz1,2, Sandra Blanco-Garcia1, Diana Peixoto1,3,4
1I+D Farma Group (GI-1645), Department of Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology, Facultad de Farmacia and Instituto de Materiales (iMATUS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela 15782, Spain.
Researchers developed novel bioinks mimicking pancreatic cancer's dense stroma. These 3D models show cancer cells resist chemotherapy and highlight the extracellular matrix's role in pancreatic cancer progression.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Cancer Biology
- Oncology
Background:
- Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has a poor prognosis globally.
- PDAC is characterized by a desmoplastic stroma rich in collagen I, influencing cancer cell behavior.
- There is a critical need for 3D desmoplastic models for preclinical testing.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop bioinks that mimic the biochemical characteristics of PDAC stroma.
- To observe the influence of the desmoplastic extracellular matrix on pancreatic cancer cells.
- To create more clinically relevant models for drug screening and studying desmoplasia.
Main Methods:
- Bioinks were formulated using gelatin methacrylamide, alginate, and varying concentrations of collagen I.
- Pancreatic cancer cells were cultured within these bioinks.
- Cell proliferation, paclitaxel resistance, and expression of desmoplasia/ECM remodeling markers were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Cancer cells proliferated effectively in all developed bioinks.
- Cells exhibited significant paclitaxel resistance within the 3D models.
- High expression of desmoplasia and extracellular matrix remodeling markers was observed.
Conclusions:
- The developed bioinks successfully mimic the desmoplastic microenvironment of PDAC.
- These 3D models demonstrate cancer cell resistance to chemotherapy.
- The bioinks are valuable tools for preclinical drug screening and understanding desmoplasia in pancreatic cancer.
