Encapsulated Primary Human Ovarian Cancer Cells on Chips for Chemotherapy Drug Evaluation

Establishing physiologically relevant in vitro tumor models is critical for accurately evaluating chemotherapeutic efficacy in ovarian cancer. However, generating high-throughput, uniform, and viable tumor spheroids from primary patient cells remains a major challenge for personalized drug screening. Here, we present an integrated platform that couples hydrogel microencapsulation with organ-on-a-chip culture to achieve biomimetic 3-dimensional tumor growth and dynamic drug assessment. Core-shell hydrogel microcapsules, consisting of a carboxymethyl cellulose core and an alginate shell, create a biocompatible and tunable microenvironment that maintains cell viability, preserves molecular and phenotypic heterogeneity, and enables reproducible spheroid formation. Embedding these spheroids into a microfluidic chip with continuous, precisely regulated drug gradients and perfusion culture facilitates high-resolution, high-throughput evaluation of chemotherapeutic responses. Using this system, clinically relevant agents-including carboplatin, paclitaxel, docetaxel, and pegylated liposomal doxorubicin-were systematically screened, revealing patient-specific variations in drug sensitivity that closely aligned with postoperative clinical outcomes. By integrating hydrogel-based 3-dimensional culture with microscale gradient control, this approach provides a stable, physiologically meaningful, and scalable platform for preclinical pharmacological testing. Collectively, the findings demonstrate its potential as an effective tool for individualized chemotherapy evaluation and precision treatment development in ovarian cancer.