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Direct Bioprinting of 3D Multicellular Breast Spheroids onto Endothelial Networks
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Recent advances in purpose-built 3D bioprinted cancer models for drug development
Louise Ramos1,2, Meghan Robinson3, Nada Lallous1,2
1Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Introduction:
There is an ongoing effort to develop novel therapies for cancer; however, there is often a failure in current preclinical models to translate clinical therapeutic outcomes. This disconnect could be remedied with more physiologically accurate preclinical models. We highlight a selection of recent studies that demonstrate how innovative 3-dimensional (3D) techniques enable more realistic in vitro modeling and accurate evaluation of anti-cancer drug responses.
Areas Covered:
Papers discussed were selected with the aim of highlighting recent significant advances towards more translationally relevant models. 75 articles were initially compiled through online journal database searches dating from 2018 to the present, and refined to include only works which illustrated significant improvements towards clinical relevance, leaving 11 articles. We cover advances including use of tissue fragmentation and spatial mapping to replicate tumor-stroma interactions, and manipulation of bioink chemistry to mimic native tissue stiffness. We describe novel technologies for generating 3D biochemical and hypoxic gradients and integration of sacrificial bioinks to generate perfusable microvasculature. We cover the applicability of these innovative models for testing various anti-cancer therapeutics and predicting patient-specific drug sensitivities.
Expert Opinion:
We discuss the potential of 3D bioprinted models for predicting patient-specific responses in developing tailored therapies towards precision oncology.
Insights
Innovative three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting models offer more accurate preclinical testing for cancer therapies. These advanced models improve the prediction of patient-specific drug responses, aiding precision oncology.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Oncology
- Drug Discovery
Background:
- Current preclinical cancer models often fail to predict clinical therapeutic outcomes.
- There is a critical need for more physiologically accurate models to bridge the gap between preclinical research and clinical success.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advances in three-dimensional (3D) techniques for in vitro cancer modeling.
- To highlight how these innovative models enable more realistic drug response evaluations and predict patient-specific sensitivities.
Main Methods:
- Review of 11 selected articles from 2018 to present focusing on advanced 3D modeling techniques.
- Analysis of methods including tissue fragmentation, spatial mapping, bioink manipulation, and generation of 3D gradients.
- Inclusion of technologies for creating perfusable microvasculature and mimicking native tissue properties.
Main Results:
- 3D techniques enable realistic in vitro modeling of tumor microenvironments, including stroma interactions and stiffness.
- Novel methods allow for the creation of controlled biochemical and hypoxic gradients within 3D models.
- Sacrificial bioinks facilitate the generation of perfusable microvasculature, enhancing model complexity.
Conclusions:
- Advanced 3D bioprinted models show significant potential for improving the translation of anti-cancer therapeutics.
- These models can accurately predict patient-specific drug sensitivities, paving the way for tailored therapies in precision oncology.
