Researchers 3-D bio-print a model that could lead to better drugs and anticancer treatments

Researchers at the University of Minnesota have developed a way to study cancer cells, which could lead to new and improved treatments. They have developed a new way to study these cells in a 3D in vitro model (ie in a culture dish rather than in a human being or an animal).

In an article recently published in Advanced MaterialsAngela Panoskaltsis-Mortari, Ph.D., Vice President of Research and Professor, Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota School of Medicine, Director of the 3D Bioprinting Center and Member of the Masonic Cancer Center, and his colleagues found that the cells behaved differently in this 3D soft tissue environment compared to 2D plastic or glbad surfaces, for example.

"This model is more consistent with what the body looks like," said Panoskaltsis-Mortari, "and therefore, studying the effects of drugs containing human cells at this level makes the results more meaningful and predictable from this. will happen in the body. "

3D vascularized tumor tissues provide a platform for identifying potential therapies and screening for anticancer drugs. Importantly, this new model also provides a way to study metastatic cells, cancer cells that have entered a blood vessel and have moved to another site.

"One of the reasons for the success of this model is that we are better able to control the environment," said Fanben Meng, a postdoctoral fellow at the College of Science and Engineering at the University of Minnesota. . "We are able to slowly release the chemical mediators and create a chemical gradient, which gives the cells time to behave similarly to what we think is going on in the body."

"All this is made possible by our custom 3D printing technology, which allows us to accurately place clusters of cells and chemical deposits in a 3D environment," said Michael C. McAlpine, Ph.D. ., Benjamin Mayhugh. Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the College of Science and Engineering of the University of Minnesota and corresponding co-author of the paper.

Initially, researchers focused on lung cancer and melanoma. The next step is to incorporate more cell types, particularly immune system cells, as well as cell therapies, and study these interactions.

"Testing cancer drugs and cell therapies are concepts that are world-renowned at the University of Minnesota and, with this model, we continue to be at the forefront of these innovations," he said. Daniel Vallera, member of the Masonic Cancer Center. D., Professor of Therapeutic Radiotherapy and Radiation Oncology, Department of Radiation Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Minnesota. "Something like this can bring very important answers between the relationship between the vascular system and drugs because it is modular, you can add elements and make it more sophisticated.You can even use the tumor cells of patients in this model. . "

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