Advances in 3D culture systems for therapeutic discovery and development in brain cancer

Janith Wanigasekara; Patrick J Cullen; Paula Bourke; Brijesh Tiwari; James F Curtin

doi:10.1016/j.drudis.2022.103426

Advances in 3D culture systems for therapeutic discovery and development in brain cancer

Drug Discov Today. 2023 Feb;28(2):103426. doi: 10.1016/j.drudis.2022.103426. Epub 2022 Nov 1.

Authors

Janith Wanigasekara¹, Patrick J Cullen², Paula Bourke³, Brijesh Tiwari⁴, James F Curtin⁵

Affiliations

¹ BioPlasma Research Group, School of Food Science and Environmental Health, Technological University Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; Environmental Sustainability and Health Institute (ESHI), Technological University Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; Department of Food Biosciences, Teagasc Food Research Centre, Ashtown, Dublin, Ireland; FOCAS Research Institute, Technological University Dublin, Dublin, Ireland. Electronic address: janith.manoharawanigasekara@tudublin.ie.
² School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
³ School of Biosystems and Food Engineering, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
⁴ Department of Food Biosciences, Teagasc Food Research Centre, Ashtown, Dublin, Ireland.
⁵ BioPlasma Research Group, School of Food Science and Environmental Health, Technological University Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; Environmental Sustainability and Health Institute (ESHI), Technological University Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; FOCAS Research Institute, Technological University Dublin, Dublin, Ireland; Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Technological University Dublin, Dublin, Ireland. Electronic address: james.curtin@tudublin.ie.

PMID: 36332834
DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2022.103426

Abstract

This review focuses on recent advances in 3D culture systems that promise more accurate therapeutic models of the glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) tumor microenvironment (TME), such as the unique anatomical, cellular, and molecular features evident in human GBM. The key components of a GBM TME are outlined, including microbiomes, vasculature, extracellular matrix (ECM), infiltrating parenchymal and peripheral immune cells and molecules, and chemical gradients. 3D culture systems are evaluated against 2D culture systems and in vivo animal models. The main 3D culture techniques available are compared, with an emphasis on identifying key gaps in knowledge for the development of suitable platforms to accurately model the intricate components of the GBM TME.

Keywords: 3D bioprinter; 3D cell culture; glioma; hydrogels; scaffolds; tumor microenvironment.

Publication types

Review
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Animals
Brain Neoplasms* / drug therapy
Brain Neoplasms* / pathology
Cell Line, Tumor
Glioblastoma* / drug therapy
Glioblastoma* / pathology
Humans
Tumor Microenvironment