Advanced Cell Culture Techniques for Cancer Drug Discovery

TLDR

Human cancer cell lines are widely used in drug discovery, yet standard 2D plastic cultures fail to recapitulate the tumor microenvironment, prompting interest in 3D models that better reflect cellular and physical tumor properties. Researchers worldwide are developing three‑dimensional tumor culture systems that more precisely mimic disease states. Studies using 3D cultures uncover molecular mechanisms and show that tumor cells respond differently to therapeutics than they do in 2D monolayers.

Abstract

Human cancer cell lines are an integral part of drug discovery practices. However, modeling the complexity of cancer utilizing these cell lines on standard plastic substrata, does not accurately represent the tumor microenvironment. Research into developing advanced tumor cell culture models in a three-dimensional (3D) architecture that more prescisely characterizes the disease state have been undertaken by a number of laboratories around the world. These 3D cell culture models are particularly beneficial for investigating mechanistic processes and drug resistance in tumor cells. In addition, a range of molecular mechanisms deconstructed by studying cancer cells in 3D models suggest that tumor cells cultured in two-dimensional monolayer conditions do not respond to cancer therapeutics/compounds in a similar manner. Recent studies have demonstrated the potential of utilizing 3D cell culture models in drug discovery programs; however, it is evident that further research is required for the development of more complex models that incorporate the majority of the cellular and physical properties of a tumor.