The next level of 3D tumour models: immunocompetence

Abstract

The complexity of the tumour microenvironment encompasses interactions between cancer and stromal cells. Moving from 2D cell culture methods into 3D models enables more-accurate investigation of those interactions. Current 3D cancer models focus on cancer spheroid interaction with stromal cells, such as fibroblasts. However, over recent years, the cancer immune environment has been shown to have a major role in tumour progression. This review summarises the state-of-art on immunocompetent 3D cancer models that, in addition to cancer cells, also incorporate immune cells, including monocytes, cancer-associated macrophages, dendritic cells, neutrophils and lymphocytes.

Designer Self‐Assembling Peptide Hydrogels to Engineer 3D Cell Microenvironments for Cell Constructs Formation and Precise Oncology Remodeling in Ovarian Cancer

“…As ovarian cancer rarely spreads hematogenously at early stages, cancer cells have the capacity for immunoediting to avoid the possible immune attack. [ 153b,192 ] 3D coculture cell models are preferably used to study the cancerous immune responses and to reveal that how matrix compositions affect the reciprocal interactions between host cells and cancer cells. Compared with traditional 2D monolayer culture, the gene expression profiles of mesothelioma spheroids reveal that 112 upregulated genes are related to immune response, wound response, lymphocyte stimulation, and cytokine stimulation.…”

First-in-class ruthenium anticancer drug (KP1339/IT-139) induces an immunogenic cell death signature in colorectal spheroids in vitro

“…Those models with increasing complexity are essential to better translate basic preclinical research into novel treatments for the benefit of cancer patients. 42,44…”

Recreating complex pathophysiologies in vitro with extracellular matrix surrogates for anticancer therapeutics screening

“…To recapitulate the complexity of the tumour microenvironment (TME) in vitro, numerous cancer models have been proposed: from two-dimensional (2D) monolayers of cultivated cancer cell lines to complex three-dimensional (3D) models comprising cancerous cells and various forms of extracellular matrix (ECM) equivalents that preserve, to a certain extent, intercellular and cell-ECM signalling and inflammatory cascades [1][2][3][4][5][6]. Despite recent advancements in in vitro culture systems, we are still some way from creating in vitro models with a similar level of complexity to a primary tumour.…”