In vitro three-dimensional tumor microenvironment models for anticancer drug discovery

Abstract

Anticancer drug discovery has long been hampered by the poor predictivity of the preclinical models. There is a growing realization that the tumor microenvironment is a critical determinant of the response of cancer cells to therapeutic agents. The past 5 years have seen a great deal of progress in our understanding of how the three-dimensional microenvironment modulates the signaling behavior of tumor cells. The present review discusses how three-dimensional in vitro cell culture models can benefit cancer drug discovery through an accurate modeling of the tumor microenvironment, leading to more physiologically relevant experimental outcomes.

Keywords::

• 3D
• angiogenesis
• breast
• cancer
• esophagusoncology
• organotypic
• skin
• spheroid
• therapy
• tissue engineering

Notes