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Sassi A, You L. Microfluidics-Based Technologies for the Assessment of Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer. Cells 2024; 13:575. [PMID: 38607014 PMCID: PMC11011521 DOI: 10.3390/cells13070575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2024] [Revised: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 03/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Castration-resistant prostate cancer remains a significant clinical challenge, wherein patients display no response to existing hormone therapies. The standard of care often includes aggressive treatment options using chemotherapy, radiation therapy and various drugs to curb the growth of additional metastases. As such, there is a dire need for the development of innovative technologies for both its diagnosis and its management. Traditionally, scientific exploration of prostate cancer and its treatment options has been heavily reliant on animal models and two-dimensional (2D) in vitro technologies. However, both laboratory tools often fail to recapitulate the dynamic tumor microenvironment, which can lead to discrepancies in drug efficacy and side effects in a clinical setting. In light of the limitations of traditional animal models and 2D in vitro technologies, the emergence of microfluidics as a tool for prostate cancer research shows tremendous promise. Namely, microfluidics-based technologies have emerged as powerful tools for assessing prostate cancer cells, isolating circulating tumor cells, and examining their behaviour using tumor-on-a-chip models. As such, this review aims to highlight recent advancements in microfluidics-based technologies for the assessment of castration-resistant prostate cancer and its potential to advance current understanding and to improve therapeutic outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amel Sassi
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3G9, Canada;
| | - Lidan You
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3G9, Canada;
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3G9, Canada
- Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Queen’s University, Kingston, ON K7L 2V9, Canada
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2
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Olea AR, Jurado A, Slor G, Tevet S, Pujals S, De La Rosa VR, Hoogenboom R, Amir RJ, Albertazzi L. Reaching the Tumor: Mobility of Polymeric Micelles Inside an In Vitro Tumor-on-a-Chip Model with Dual ECM. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2023; 15:59134-59144. [PMID: 38102079 PMCID: PMC10755695 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c12798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Degradable polymeric micelles are promising drug delivery systems due to their hydrophobic core and responsive design. When applying micellar nanocarriers for tumor delivery, one of the bottlenecks encountered in vivo is the tumor tissue barrier: crossing the dense mesh of cells and the extracellular matrix (ECM). Sometimes overlooked, the extracellular matrix can trap nanoformulations based on charge, size, and hydrophobicity. Here, we used a simple design of a microfluidic chip with two types of ECM and MCF7 spheroids to allow "high-throughput" screening of the interactions between biological interfaces and polymeric micelles. To demonstrate the applicability of the chip, a small library of fluorescently labeled polymeric micelles varying in their hydrophilic shell and hydrophobic core forming blocks was studied. Three widely used hydrophilic shells were tested and compared, namely, poly(ethylene glycol), poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline), and poly(acrylic acid), along with two enzymatically degradable dendritic hydrophobic cores (based on hexyl or nonyl end groups). Using ratiometric imaging of unimer:micelle fluorescence and FRAP inside the chip model, we obtained the local assembly state and dynamics inside the chip. Notably, we observed different micelle behaviors in the basal lamina ECM, from avoidance of the ECM structure to binding of the poly(acrylic acid) formulations. Binding to the basal lamina correlated with higher uptake into MCF7 spheroids. Overall, we proposed a simple microfluidic chip containing dual ECM and spheroids for the assessment of the interactions of polymeric nanocarriers with biological interfaces and evaluating nanoformulations' capacity to cross the tumor tissue barrier.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alis R. Olea
- Institute
for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of
Science and Technology, Baldiri Reixac 15-21, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alicia Jurado
- Institute
for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of
Science and Technology, Baldiri Reixac 15-21, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gadi Slor
- Department
of Organic Chemistry, School of Chemistry, Faculty of Exact Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Shahar Tevet
- Department
of Organic Chemistry, School of Chemistry, Faculty of Exact Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Silvia Pujals
- Department
of Biological Chemistry, Institute for Advanced
Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC−CSIC), Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Victor R. De La Rosa
- Supramolecular
Chemistry Group, Centre of Macromolecular Chemistry (CMaC), Department
of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281, S4, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Richard Hoogenboom
- Supramolecular
Chemistry Group, Centre of Macromolecular Chemistry (CMaC), Department
of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281, S4, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Roey J. Amir
- Department
of Organic Chemistry, School of Chemistry, Faculty of Exact Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
- The
Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
- The
ADAMA
Center for Novel Delivery Systems in Crop Protection, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 6997801, Israel
| | - Lorenzo Albertazzi
- Institute
for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of
Science and Technology, Baldiri Reixac 15-21, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
- Department
of Biomedical Engineering, Institute of Complex Molecular Systems
(ICMS), Eindhoven University of Technology
(TUE), Eindhoven 5612 AZ, The Netherlands
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3
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Amereh M, Seyfoori A, Dallinger B, Azimzadeh M, Stefanek E, Akbari M. 3D-Printed Tumor-on-a-Chip Model for Investigating the Effect of Matrix Stiffness on Glioblastoma Tumor Invasion. Biomimetics (Basel) 2023; 8:421. [PMID: 37754172 PMCID: PMC10526170 DOI: 10.3390/biomimetics8050421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma multiform (GBM) tumor progression has been recognized to be correlated with extracellular matrix (ECM) stiffness. Dynamic variation of tumor ECM is primarily regulated by a family of enzymes which induce remodeling and degradation. In this paper, we investigated the effect of matrix stiffness on the invasion pattern of human glioblastoma tumoroids. A 3D-printed tumor-on-a-chip platform was utilized to culture human glioblastoma tumoroids with the capability of evaluating the effect of stiffness on tumor progression. To induce variations in the stiffness of the collagen matrix, different concentrations of collagenase were added, thereby creating an inhomogeneous collagen concentration. To better understand the mechanisms involved in GBM invasion, an in silico hybrid mathematical model was used to predict the evolution of a tumor in an inhomogeneous environment, providing the ability to study multiple dynamic interacting variables. The model consists of a continuum reaction-diffusion model for the growth of tumoroids and a discrete model to capture the migration of single cells into the surrounding tissue. Results revealed that tumoroids exhibit two distinct patterns of invasion in response to the concentration of collagenase, namely ring-type and finger-type patterns. Moreover, higher concentrations of collagenase resulted in greater invasion lengths, confirming the strong dependency of tumor behavior on the stiffness of the surrounding matrix. The agreement between the experimental results and the model's predictions demonstrates the advantages of this approach in investigating the impact of various extracellular matrix characteristics on tumor growth and invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meitham Amereh
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada; (M.A.); (A.S.); (M.A.)
- Laboratory for Innovations in MicroEngineering (LiME), Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada; (B.D.); (E.S.)
- Centre for Advanced Materials and Related Technologies (CAMTEC), University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2, Canada
| | - Amir Seyfoori
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada; (M.A.); (A.S.); (M.A.)
- Laboratory for Innovations in MicroEngineering (LiME), Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada; (B.D.); (E.S.)
- Centre for Advanced Materials and Related Technologies (CAMTEC), University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2, Canada
| | - Briana Dallinger
- Laboratory for Innovations in MicroEngineering (LiME), Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada; (B.D.); (E.S.)
| | - Mostafa Azimzadeh
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada; (M.A.); (A.S.); (M.A.)
- Laboratory for Innovations in MicroEngineering (LiME), Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada; (B.D.); (E.S.)
| | - Evan Stefanek
- Laboratory for Innovations in MicroEngineering (LiME), Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada; (B.D.); (E.S.)
| | - Mohsen Akbari
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada; (M.A.); (A.S.); (M.A.)
- Laboratory for Innovations in MicroEngineering (LiME), Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada; (B.D.); (E.S.)
- Centre for Advanced Materials and Related Technologies (CAMTEC), University of Victoria, Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2, Canada
- Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovations, Los Angeles, CA 91367, USA
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4
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Gil JF, Moura CS, Silverio V, Gonçalves G, Santos HA. Cancer Models on Chip: Paving the Way to Large-Scale Trial Applications. Adv Mater 2023; 35:e2300692. [PMID: 37103886 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202300692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Cancer kills millions of individuals every year all over the world (Global Cancer Observatory). The physiological and biomechanical processes underlying the tumor are still poorly understood, hindering researchers from creating new, effective therapies. Inconsistent results of preclinical research, in vivo testing, and clinical trials decrease drug approval rates. 3D tumor-on-a-chip (ToC) models integrate biomaterials, tissue engineering, fabrication of microarchitectures, and sensory and actuation systems in a single device, enabling reliable studies in fundamental oncology and pharmacology. This review includes a critical discussion about their ability to reproduce the tumor microenvironment (TME), the advantages and drawbacks of existing tumor models and architectures, major components and fabrication techniques. The focus is on current materials and micro/nanofabrication techniques used to manufacture reliable and reproducible microfluidic ToC models for large-scale trial applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Ferreira Gil
- Centre for Rapid and Sustainable Product Development, Polytechnic of Leiria, Marinha Grande, 2430-028, Portugal
- INESC Microsistemas e Nanotecnologias (INESC MN), Rua Alves Redol 9, Lisbon, 1000-029, Portugal
- TEMA, Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, 3810-193, Portugal
| | - Carla Sofia Moura
- Centre for Rapid and Sustainable Product Development, Polytechnic of Leiria, Marinha Grande, 2430-028, Portugal
- Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, Applied Research Institute, Coimbra, 3045-093, Portugal
| | - Vania Silverio
- INESC Microsistemas e Nanotecnologias (INESC MN), Rua Alves Redol 9, Lisbon, 1000-029, Portugal
- Department of Physics, Instituto Superior Técnico, Lisbon, 1049-001, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory Institute for Health and Bioeconomy - i4HB, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Gil Gonçalves
- TEMA, Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, 3810-193, Portugal
- Intelligent Systems Associate Laboratory (LASI), Aveiro, 3810-193, Portugal
| | - Hélder A Santos
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, 9713 AV, The Netherlands
- W.J. Korf Institute for Biomedical Engineering and Materials Science, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, 9713 AV, The Netherlands
- Drug Research Program, Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, 00014, Finland
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5
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Li W, Zhou Z, Zhou X, Khoo BL, Gunawan R, Chin YR, Zhang L, Yi C, Guan X, Yang M. 3D Biomimetic Models to Reconstitute Tumor Microenvironment In Vitro: Spheroids, Organoids, and Tumor-on-a-Chip. Adv Healthc Mater 2023; 12:e2202609. [PMID: 36917657 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202202609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
Abstract
Decades of efforts in engineering in vitro cancer models have advanced drug discovery and the insight into cancer biology. However, the establishment of preclinical models that enable fully recapitulating the tumor microenvironment remains challenging owing to its intrinsic complexity. Recent progress in engineering techniques has allowed the development of a new generation of in vitro preclinical models that can recreate complex in vivo tumor microenvironments and accurately predict drug responses, including spheroids, organoids, and tumor-on-a-chip. These biomimetic 3D tumor models are of particular interest as they pave the way for better understanding of cancer biology and accelerating the development of new anticancer therapeutics with reducing animal use. Here, the recent advances in developing these in vitro platforms for cancer modeling and preclinical drug screening, focusing on incorporating hydrogels are reviewed to reconstitute physiologically relevant microenvironments. The combination of spheroids/organoids with microfluidic technologies is also highlighted to better mimic in vivo tumors and discuss the challenges and future directions in the clinical translation of such models for drug screening and personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenxiu Li
- Department of Precision Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technology, City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Futian Research Institute, Shenzhen, 518000, China
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Tung Biomedical Sciences Centre, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, 999077, China
| | - Zhihang Zhou
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Tung Biomedical Sciences Centre, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, 999077, China
- Department of Gastroenterology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, China
| | - Xiaoyu Zhou
- Department of Precision Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technology, City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Futian Research Institute, Shenzhen, 518000, China
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Tung Biomedical Sciences Centre, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, 999077, China
| | - Bee Luan Khoo
- Department of Precision Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technology, City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Futian Research Institute, Shenzhen, 518000, China
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 999077, China
| | - Renardi Gunawan
- Department of Precision Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technology, City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Futian Research Institute, Shenzhen, 518000, China
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Tung Biomedical Sciences Centre, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, 999077, China
| | - Y Rebecca Chin
- Department of Precision Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technology, City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Futian Research Institute, Shenzhen, 518000, China
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Tung Biomedical Sciences Centre, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, 999077, China
| | - Liang Zhang
- Department of Precision Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technology, City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Futian Research Institute, Shenzhen, 518000, China
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Tung Biomedical Sciences Centre, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, 999077, China
| | - Changqing Yi
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering and Technology Center of Advanced and Portable Medical Devices, School of Biomedical Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 518107, China
| | - Xinyuan Guan
- Department of Clinical Oncology, State Key Laboratory for Liver Research, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, 999077, China
| | - Mengsu Yang
- Department of Precision Diagnostic and Therapeutic Technology, City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Futian Research Institute, Shenzhen, 518000, China
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Tung Biomedical Sciences Centre, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR, 999077, China
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6
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Wan Z, Floryan MA, Coughlin MF, Zhang S, Zhong AX, Shelton SE, Wang X, Xu C, Barbie DA, Kamm RD. New Strategy for Promoting Vascularization in Tumor Spheroids in a Microfluidic Assay. Adv Healthc Mater 2023; 12:e2201784. [PMID: 36333913 PMCID: PMC10156888 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202201784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies have developed vascularized tumor spheroid models to demonstrate the impact of intravascular flow on tumor progression and treatment. However, these models have not been widely adopted so the vascularization of tumor spheroids in vitro is generally lower than vascularized tumor tissues in vivo. To improve the tumor vascularization level, a new strategy is introduced to form tumor spheroids by adding fibroblasts (FBs) sequentially to a pre-formed tumor spheroid and demonstrate this method with tumor cell lines from kidney, lung, and ovary cancer. Tumor spheroids made with the new strategy have higher FB densities on the periphery of the tumor spheroid, which tend to enhance vascularization. The vessels close to the tumor spheroid made with this new strategy are more perfusable than the ones made with other methods. Finally, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells are perfused under continuous flow into vascularized tumor spheroids to demonstrate immunotherapy evaluation using vascularized tumor-on-a-chip model. This new strategy for establishing tumor spheroids leads to increased vascularization in vitro, allowing for the examination of immune, endothelial, stromal, and tumor cell responses under static or flow conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengpeng Wan
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Marie A Floryan
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Mark F Coughlin
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Shun Zhang
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Amy X Zhong
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Sarah E Shelton
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Xun Wang
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
| | - Chenguang Xu
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Biotechnology, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510515, China
| | - David A Barbie
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, 02215, USA
| | - Roger D Kamm
- Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, 02139, USA
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7
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Huang CBX, Tu TY. Recent advances in vascularized tumor-on-a-chip. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1150332. [PMID: 37064144 PMCID: PMC10099572 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1150332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The vasculature plays a critical role in cancer progression and metastasis, representing a pivotal aspect in the creation of cancer models. In recent years, the emergence of organ-on-a-chip technology has proven to be a robust tool, capable of replicating in vivo conditions with exceptional spatiotemporal resolution, making it a significant asset in cancer research. This review delves into the latest developments in 3D microfluidic vascularized tumor models and their applications in vitro, focusing on heterotypic cellular interactions, the mechanisms of metastasis, and therapeutic screening. Additionally, the review examines the benefits and drawbacks of these models, as well as the future prospects for their advancement.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ting-Yuan Tu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- Medical Device Innovation Center, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- International Center for Wound Repair and Regeneration, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan
- *Correspondence: Ting-Yuan Tu,
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8
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Wang R, Zhang C, Li D, Yao Y. Tumor-on-a-chip: Perfusable vascular incorporation brings new approach to tumor metastasis research and drug development. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2022; 10:1057913. [PMID: 36483772 PMCID: PMC9722735 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.1057913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/11/2022] [Indexed: 07/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The extracellular matrix interacts with cancer cells and is a key factor in the development of cancer. Traditional two-dimensional models cannot mimic the natural in situ environment of cancer tissues, whereas three-dimensional (3D) models such as spherical culture, bioprinting, and microfluidic approaches can achieve in vitro reproduction of certain structures and components of the tumor microenvironment, including simulation of the hypoxic environment of tumor tissue. However, the lack of a perfusable vascular network is a limitation of most 3D models. Solid tumor growth and metastasis require angiogenesis, and tumor models with microvascular networks have been developed to better understand underlying mechanisms. Tumor-on-a-chip technology combines the advantages of microfluidics and 3D cell culture technology for the simulation of tumor tissue complexity and characteristics. In this review, we summarize progress in constructing tumor-on-a-chip models with efficiently perfused vascular networks. We also discuss the applications of tumor-on-a-chip technology to studying the tumor microenvironment and drug development. Finally, we describe the creation of several common tumor models based on this technology to provide a deeper understanding and new insights into the design of vascularized cancer models. We believe that the tumor-on-a-chip approach is an important development that will provide further contributions to the field.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Danxue Li
- *Correspondence: Danxue Li, ; Yang Yao,
| | - Yang Yao
- *Correspondence: Danxue Li, ; Yang Yao,
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9
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Szafran RG, Wiatrak B. Analysis of Static Molecular Gradients in a High-Throughput Drug Screening Microfluidic Assay. Molecules 2021; 26:6385. [PMID: 34770793 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26216385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Revised: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we thoroughly analyzed molecular gradient generation, its stability over time, and linearity in our high-throughput drug screening microfluidic assay (HTS). These parameters greatly affect the precision and accuracy of the device's analytical protocol. As part of the research, we developed a mathematical model of dependence of the concentration profile on the initial concentrations of active substances in reservoirs and the number of tilts, as well as the dependence of the active substance concentration profiles in the culture chambers on the concentration profile of the reference dye in the indicator chamber. The mean concentration prediction error of the proposed equations ranged from 1.4% to 2.4% for the optimized parameters of the procedure and did not increase with the incubation time. The concentration profile linearity index, Pearson's correlation coefficient reached -0.997 for 25 device tilts. The observed time stability of the profiles was very good. The mean difference between the concentration profile after 5 days of incubation and the baseline profile was only 7.0%. The newly created mathematical relationships became part of the new HTS biochip operating protocols, which are detailed in the article.
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10
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Mitxelena-Iribarren O, Lizarbe-Sancha S, Campisi J, Arana S, Mujika M. Different Microfluidic Environments for In Vitro Testing of Lipid Nanoparticles against Osteosarcoma. Bioengineering (Basel) 2021; 8:bioengineering8060077. [PMID: 34199965 PMCID: PMC8228877 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering8060077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of lipid nanoparticles as biodegradable shells for controlled drug delivery shows promise as a more effective and targeted tumor treatment than traditional treatment methods. Although the combination of target therapy with nanotechnology created new hope for cancer treatment, methodological issues during in vitro validation of nanovehicles slowed their application. In the current work, the effect of methotrexate (MTX) encapsulated in different matrices was evaluated in a dynamic microfluidic platform. Effects on the viability of osteosarcoma cells in the presence of recirculation of cell media, free MTX and two types of blank and drug-containing nanoparticles were successfully assessed in different tumor-mimicking microenvironments. Encapsulated MTX was more effective than the equal dose free drug treatment, as cell death significantly increased under the recirculation of both types of drug-loaded nanoparticles in all concentrations. In fact, MTX-nanoparticles reduced cell population 50 times more than the free drug when 150-µM drug dose was recirculated. Moreover, when compared to the equivalent free drug dose recirculation, cell number was reduced 60 and 100 points more under recirculation of each nanoparticle with a 15-µM drug concentration. Thus, the results obtained with the microfluidic model present MTX-lipid nanoparticles as a promising and more effective therapy for pediatric osteosarcoma treatment than current treatment options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oihane Mitxelena-Iribarren
- CEIT-Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Manuel Lardizábal 15, 20018 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain; (S.L.-S.); (J.C.); (S.A.); (M.M.)
- School of Engineering at San Sebastián, Universidad de Navarra, Manuel Lardizábal 13, 20018 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
- Correspondence:
| | - Sara Lizarbe-Sancha
- CEIT-Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Manuel Lardizábal 15, 20018 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain; (S.L.-S.); (J.C.); (S.A.); (M.M.)
- School of Engineering at San Sebastián, Universidad de Navarra, Manuel Lardizábal 13, 20018 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Jay Campisi
- CEIT-Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Manuel Lardizábal 15, 20018 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain; (S.L.-S.); (J.C.); (S.A.); (M.M.)
- School of Engineering at San Sebastián, Universidad de Navarra, Manuel Lardizábal 13, 20018 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
- Department of Biology, Regis University, Denver, CO 80221, USA
| | - Sergio Arana
- CEIT-Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Manuel Lardizábal 15, 20018 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain; (S.L.-S.); (J.C.); (S.A.); (M.M.)
- School of Engineering at San Sebastián, Universidad de Navarra, Manuel Lardizábal 13, 20018 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
| | - Maite Mujika
- CEIT-Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Manuel Lardizábal 15, 20018 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain; (S.L.-S.); (J.C.); (S.A.); (M.M.)
- School of Engineering at San Sebastián, Universidad de Navarra, Manuel Lardizábal 13, 20018 Donostia-San Sebastián, Spain
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11
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Szafran RG, Gąsiorowski K, Wiatrak B. Colorectal Adenocarcinoma Cell Culture in a Microfluidically Controlled Environment with a Static Molecular Gradient of Polyphenol. Molecules 2021; 26:3215. [PMID: 34072020 DOI: 10.3390/molecules26113215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2021] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
To study the simultaneous effect of the molecular gradient of polyphenols (curcumin, trans-resveratrol, and wogonin) and biological factors released from tumor cells on apoptosis of adjacent cells, a novel microfluidic system was designed and manufactured. The small height/volume of microfluidic culture chambers and static conditions allowed for establishing the local microenvironment and maintaining undisturbed concentration profiles of naturally secreted from cells biochemical factors. In all trials, we observe that these conditions significantly affect cell viability by stimulating cell apoptosis at lower concentrations of polyphenols than in traditional multiwell cultures. The observed difference varied between 20.4-87.8% for curcumin, 11.0-37.5% for resveratrol, and 21.7-62.2% for wogonin. At low concentrations of polyphenols, the proapoptotic substances released from adjacent cells, like protein degradation products, significantly influence cell viability. The mean increase in cell mortality was 38.3% for microfluidic cultures. Our research has also confirmed that the gradient microsystem is useful in routine laboratory tests in the same way as a multiwell plate and may be treated as its replacement in the future. We elaborated the new repetitive procedures for cell culture and tests in static gradient conditions, which may become a gold standard of new drug investigations in the future.
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12
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Palacio-Castañeda V, Dumas S, Albrecht P, Wijgers TJ, Descroix S, Verdurmen WPR. A Hybrid In Silico and Tumor-on-a-Chip Approach to Model Targeted Protein Behavior in 3D Microenvironments. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:cancers13102461. [PMID: 34070171 PMCID: PMC8158470 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13102461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Revised: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Engineered proteins possess a great therapeutic potential, but the development of such therapies is impeded during preclinical studies by the lack of in vitro models that accurately simulate the human physiology. Animal models, on the other hand, also have difficulties predicting human responses, and are ethically concerning. In this study, we employed a hybrid approach where we combined mathematical modeling with 3D in vitro models that mimic aspects of the tumor microenvironment, in order to simulate the delivery of therapeutic proteins targeting cancer cells and to predict the biological activity. By cross-comparing simulated and experimental data from 3D models, we were able to correctly predict the best dose needed to deliver toxic proteins specifically to tumor cells, while leaving the surrounding non-tumor cells untouched. This study shows the potential of combining computational approaches with novel in vitro models to advance the development of protein therapeutics. Abstract To rationally improve targeted drug delivery to tumor cells, new methods combining in silico and physiologically relevant in vitro models are needed. This study combines mathematical modeling with 3D in vitro co-culture models to study the delivery of engineered proteins, called designed ankyrin repeat proteins (DARPins), in biomimetic tumor microenvironments containing fibroblasts and tumor cells overexpressing epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) or human epithelial growth factor receptor (HER2). In multicellular tumor spheroids, we observed strong binding-site barriers in combination with low apparent diffusion coefficients of 1 µm2·s−1 and 2 µm2 ·s−1 for EpCAM- and HER2-binding DARPin, respectively. Contrasting this, in a tumor-on-a-chip model for investigating delivery in real-time, transport was characterized by hindered diffusion as a consequence of the lower local tumor cell density. Finally, simulations of the diffusion of an EpCAM-targeting DARPin fused to a fragment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa exotoxin A, which specifically kills tumor cells while leaving fibroblasts untouched, correctly predicted the need for concentrations of 10 nM or higher for extensive tumor cell killing on-chip, whereas in 2D models picomolar concentrations were sufficient. These results illustrate the power of combining in vitro models with mathematical modeling to study and predict the protein activity in complex 3D models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Palacio-Castañeda
- Department of Biochemistry, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein 28, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (V.P.-C.); (P.A.); (T.J.W.)
| | - Simon Dumas
- Physico-Chemistry Curie, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS UMR168, Sorbonne University, 75005 Paris, France; (S.D.); (S.D.)
| | - Philipp Albrecht
- Department of Biochemistry, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein 28, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (V.P.-C.); (P.A.); (T.J.W.)
| | - Thijmen J. Wijgers
- Department of Biochemistry, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein 28, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (V.P.-C.); (P.A.); (T.J.W.)
| | - Stéphanie Descroix
- Physico-Chemistry Curie, Institut Curie, PSL Research University, CNRS UMR168, Sorbonne University, 75005 Paris, France; (S.D.); (S.D.)
| | - Wouter P. R. Verdurmen
- Department of Biochemistry, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences (RIMLS), Radboud University Medical Center, Geert Grooteplein 28, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands; (V.P.-C.); (P.A.); (T.J.W.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +31-24-3614263
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13
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Ustun M, Rahmani Dabbagh S, Ilci IS, Bagci-Onder T, Tasoglu S. Glioma-on-a-Chip Models. Micromachines (Basel) 2021; 12:490. [PMID: 33926127 PMCID: PMC8145995 DOI: 10.3390/mi12050490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Glioma, as an aggressive type of cancer, accounts for virtually 80% of malignant brain tumors. Despite advances in therapeutic approaches, the long-term survival of glioma patients is poor (it is usually fatal within 12-14 months). Glioma-on-chip platforms, with continuous perfusion, mimic in vivo metabolic functions of cancer cells for analytical purposes. This offers an unprecedented opportunity for understanding the underlying reasons that arise glioma, determining the most effective radiotherapy approach, testing different drug combinations, and screening conceivable side effects of drugs on other organs. Glioma-on-chip technologies can ultimately enhance the efficacy of treatments, promote the survival rate of patients, and pave a path for personalized medicine. In this perspective paper, we briefly review the latest developments of glioma-on-chip technologies, such as therapy applications, drug screening, and cell behavior studies, and discuss the current challenges as well as future research directions in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merve Ustun
- Graduate School of Sciences and Engineering, Koc University, Sariyer, 34450 Istanbul, Turkey;
| | - Sajjad Rahmani Dabbagh
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Koç University, Sariyer, 34450 Istanbul, Turkey;
- Koç University Arçelik Research Center for Creative Industries (KUAR), Koç University, Sariyer, 34450 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Irem Sultan Ilci
- Department of Bioengineering, Yildiz Technical University, 34220 Istanbul, Turkey;
| | - Tugba Bagci-Onder
- Brain Cancer Research and Therapy Lab, Koç University School of Medicine, 34450 Istanbul, Turkey;
- Koç University Research Center for Translational Medicine, Koç University, Sariyer, 34450 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Savas Tasoglu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Koç University, Sariyer, 34450 Istanbul, Turkey;
- Koç University Arçelik Research Center for Creative Industries (KUAR), Koç University, Sariyer, 34450 Istanbul, Turkey
- Koç University Research Center for Translational Medicine, Koç University, Sariyer, 34450 Istanbul, Turkey
- Center for Life Sciences and Technologies, Bogazici University, Bebek, 34342 Istanbul, Turkey
- Boğaziçi Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Boğaziçi University, Çengelköy, 34684 Istanbul, Turkey
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14
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Ruiz-Espigares J, Nieto D, Moroni L, Jiménez G, Marchal JA. Evolution of Metastasis Study Models toward Metastasis-On-A-Chip: The Ultimate Model? Small 2021; 17:e2006009. [PMID: 33705602 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202006009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Revised: 12/05/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
For decades, several attempts have been made to obtain a mimetic model for the study of metastasis, the reason of most of deaths caused by cancer, in order to solve the unknown phenomena surrounding this disease. To better understand this cellular dissemination process, more realistic models are needed that are capable of faithfully recreating the entire and essential tumor microenvironment (TME). Thus, new tools known as tumor-on-a-chip and metastasis-on-a-chip have been recently proposed. These tools incorporate microfluidic systems and small culture chambers where TME can be faithfully modeled thanks to 3D bioprinting. In this work, a literature review has been developed about the different phases of metastasis, the remaining unknowns and the use of new models to study this disease. The aim is to provide a global vision of the current panorama and the great potential that these systems have for in vitro translational research on the molecular basis of the pathology. In addition, these models will allow progress toward a personalized medicine, generating chips from patient samples that mimic the original tumor and the metastatic process to perform a precise pharmacological screening by establishing the most appropriate treatment protocol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesús Ruiz-Espigares
- Biopathology and Regenerative Medicine Institute (IBIMER), Centre for Biomedical Research (CIBM), University of Granada, Granada, E-18016, Spain
- Excellence Research Unit "Modeling Nature" (MNat), University of Granada, Granada, 18016, Spain
- Department of Human Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, Granada, E-18016, Spain
- Biosanitary Research Institute of Granada (ibs.GRANADA), University Hospitals of Granada-University of Granada, Granada, E-18071, Spain
| | - Daniel Nieto
- Photonics4life Research Group, Applied Physics Department, Faculty of Physics, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, 15705, Spain
- Complex Tissue Regeneration Department, MERLN Institute for Technology Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Universiteitssingel 40, Maastricht, 6229ER, The Netherlands
| | - Lorenzo Moroni
- Complex Tissue Regeneration Department, MERLN Institute for Technology Inspired Regenerative Medicine, Universiteitssingel 40, Maastricht, 6229ER, The Netherlands
| | - Gema Jiménez
- Biopathology and Regenerative Medicine Institute (IBIMER), Centre for Biomedical Research (CIBM), University of Granada, Granada, E-18016, Spain
- Excellence Research Unit "Modeling Nature" (MNat), University of Granada, Granada, 18016, Spain
- Department of Human Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, Granada, E-18016, Spain
- Biosanitary Research Institute of Granada (ibs.GRANADA), University Hospitals of Granada-University of Granada, Granada, E-18071, Spain
| | - Juan Antonio Marchal
- Biopathology and Regenerative Medicine Institute (IBIMER), Centre for Biomedical Research (CIBM), University of Granada, Granada, E-18016, Spain
- Excellence Research Unit "Modeling Nature" (MNat), University of Granada, Granada, 18016, Spain
- Department of Human Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Granada, Granada, E-18016, Spain
- Biosanitary Research Institute of Granada (ibs.GRANADA), University Hospitals of Granada-University of Granada, Granada, E-18071, Spain
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15
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Abstract
Recreating human organ-level function in vitro is a rapidly evolving field that integrates tissue engineering, stem cell biology, and microfluidic technology to produce 3D organoids. A critical component of all organs is the vasculature. Herein, we discuss general strategies to create vascularized organoids, including common source materials, and survey previous work using vascularized organoids to recreate specific organ functions and simulate tumor progression. Vascularization is not only an essential component of individual organ function but also responsible for coupling the fate of all organs and their functions. While some success in coupling two or more organs together on a single platform has been demonstrated, we argue that the future of vascularized organoid technology lies in creating organoid systems complete with tissue-specific microvasculature and in coupling multiple organs through a dynamic vascular network to create systems that can respond to changing physiological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Venktesh S Shirure
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Davis, California 95616, USA;
| | - Christopher C W Hughes
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, University of California, Irvine, California 92697, USA
| | - Steven C George
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Davis, California 95616, USA;
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16
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Ayuso JM, Rehman S, Farooqui M, Virumbrales-Muñoz M, Setaluri V, Skala MC, Beebe DJ. Microfluidic Tumor-on-a-Chip Model to Study Tumor Metabolic Vulnerability. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21239075. [PMID: 33260673 PMCID: PMC7730115 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21239075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2020] [Revised: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Tumor-specific metabolic adaptations offer an interesting therapeutic opportunity to selectively destroy cancer cells. However, solid tumors also present gradients of nutrients and waste products across the tumor mass, forcing tumor cells to adapt their metabolism depending on nutrient availability in the surrounding microenvironment. Thus, solid tumors display a heterogenous metabolic phenotype across the tumor mass, which complicates the design of effective therapies that target all the tumor populations present. In this work, we used a microfluidic device to study tumor metabolic vulnerability to several metabolic inhibitors. The microdevice included a central chamber to culture tumor cells in a three-dimensional (3D) matrix, and a lumen in one of the chamber flanks. This design created an asymmetric nutrient distribution across the central chamber, generating gradients of cell viability. The results revealed that tumor cells located in a nutrient-enriched environment showed low to no sensitivity to metabolic inhibitors targeting glycolysis, fatty acid oxidation, or oxidative phosphorylation. Conversely, when cell density inside of the model was increased, compromising nutrient supply, the addition of these metabolic inhibitors disrupted cellular redox balance and led to tumor cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose M Ayuso
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA; (M.F.); (M.V.-M.)
- Correspondence: (J.M.A.); (D.J.B.)
| | - Shujah Rehman
- Morgridge Institute for Research, 330 N Orchard Street, Madison, WI 53715, USA; (S.R.); (M.C.S.)
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA
- The University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Mehtab Farooqui
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA; (M.F.); (M.V.-M.)
| | - María Virumbrales-Muñoz
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA; (M.F.); (M.V.-M.)
| | | | - Melissa C Skala
- Morgridge Institute for Research, 330 N Orchard Street, Madison, WI 53715, USA; (S.R.); (M.C.S.)
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA
- The University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - David J Beebe
- Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA; (M.F.); (M.V.-M.)
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA
- The University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA
- Correspondence: (J.M.A.); (D.J.B.)
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17
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Chi C, Lao Y, Ahmed AHR, Benoy EC, Li C, Dereli‐Korkut Z, Fu BM, Leong KW, Wang S. High-Throughput Tumor-on-a-Chip Platform to Study Tumor-Stroma Interactions and Drug Pharmacokinetics. Adv Healthc Mater 2020; 9:e2000880. [PMID: 32965088 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202000880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Revised: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Drug screening in oncology, especially for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), has high demand but remains unsatisfactory. Currently available models are either nonrepresentative of the complex tumor microenvironment or only suitable for low throughput screening, resulting in a low-yield success for drug development. To tackle these issues, the L-TumorChip system is developed in this study. It is a three-layered microfluidic tumor-on-a-chip platform integrating tumor microvasculature and tumor-stromal microenvironment with high throughput screening capability. Its layered and modular design is readily scalable through simple integration of multiple units. Here, L-TumorChip is validated with a TNBC model. The L-TumorChip system emulates certain tumor-stroma complexities and tumor-endothelium interactions, including TNBC invasion through the leaky microvasculature and angiogenesis. Additionally, with this L-TumorChip, the influence of different stromal cells, including normal fibroblasts, mesenchymal stem cells, and cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAF), on cancer cell growth as well as the stromal effects on drug responses to doxorubicin treatment is investigated. The presence of CAF delays drug pharmacokinetics, while apoptotic responses indicated by caspase-3 activities are higher in coculture with normal fibroblasts. Collectively, the L-TumorChip system represents a translational high-throughput screening toolkit that enables drug screening with a scenario closer to the in vivo conditions. This potential use may therefore facilitate development of new cancer drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun‐Wei Chi
- Department of Biomedical Engineering CUNY‐ The City College of New York New York NY 10031 USA
| | - Yeh‐Hsing Lao
- Department of Biomedical Engineering Columbia University New York NY 10027 USA
| | - A. H. Rezwanuddin Ahmed
- Department of Biomedical Engineering CUNY‐ The City College of New York New York NY 10031 USA
| | - Elizabeth C. Benoy
- Department of Biomedical Engineering CUNY‐ The City College of New York New York NY 10031 USA
| | - Chenghai Li
- Department of Biomedical Engineering CUNY‐ The City College of New York New York NY 10031 USA
| | - Zeynep Dereli‐Korkut
- Department of Biomedical Engineering CUNY‐ The City College of New York New York NY 10031 USA
| | - Bingmei M. Fu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering CUNY‐ The City College of New York New York NY 10031 USA
| | - Kam W. Leong
- Department of Biomedical Engineering Columbia University New York NY 10027 USA
| | - Sihong Wang
- Department of Biomedical Engineering CUNY‐ The City College of New York New York NY 10031 USA
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18
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Bi Y, Shirure VS, Liu R, Cunningham C, Ding L, Meacham JM, Goedegebuure SP, George SC, Fields RC. Tumor-on-a-chip platform to interrogate the role of macrophages in tumor progression. Integr Biol (Camb) 2020; 12:221-232. [PMID: 32930334 DOI: 10.1093/intbio/zyaa017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Revised: 07/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Tumor-infiltrating leukocytes, in particular macrophages, play an important role in tumor behavior and clinical outcome. The spectrum of macrophage subtypes ranges from antitumor 'M1'-type to protumor 'M2'-type macrophages. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) typically display phenotypic features of both M1 and M2, and the population distribution is thought to be dynamic and evolves as the tumor progresses. However, our understanding of how TAMs impact the tumor microenvironment remains limited by the lack of appropriate 3D in vitro models that can capture cell-cell dynamics at high spatial and temporal resolution. Using our recently developed microphysiological 'tumor-on-a-chip' (TOC) device, we present here our findings on the impact of defined macrophage subsets on tumor behavior. The TOC device design contains three adjacent and connected chambers in which both the upper and lower chambers are loaded with tumor cells, whereas the central chamber contains a dynamic, perfused, living microvascular network. Introduction of human pancreatic or colorectal cancer cells together with M1-polarized macrophages significantly inhibited tumor growth and tumor-induced angiogenesis. Protein analysis and antibody-based neutralization studies confirmed that these effects were mediated through production of C-X-C motif chemokines (CXCL9), CXCL10 and CXCL11. By contrast, M2-macrophages mediated increased tumor cell migration into the vascularized chamber and did not inhibit tumor growth or angiogenesis. In fact, single-cell RNA sequencing showed that M2 macrophages further segregated endothelial cells into two distinct subsets, corresponding to static cells in vessels versus active cells involved in angiogenesis. The impact of M2 macrophages was mediated mostly by production of matrix metalloproteinase 7 and angiopoietin 2. In summary, our data demonstrate the utility of the TOC device to mechanistically probe biological questions in a 3D in vitro microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Bi
- Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Venktesh S Shirure
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Ruiyang Liu
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.,McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63108, USA
| | - Cassandra Cunningham
- Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Li Ding
- Department of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.,McDonnell Genome Institute, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63108, USA
| | - J Mark Meacham
- Department of Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - S Peter Goedegebuure
- Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.,Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Steven C George
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Ryan C Fields
- Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.,Siteman Cancer Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
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19
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Clara-Trujillo S, Gallego Ferrer G, Gómez Ribelles JL. In Vitro Modeling of Non-Solid Tumors: How Far Can Tissue Engineering Go? Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21165747. [PMID: 32796596 PMCID: PMC7460836 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21165747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Revised: 08/07/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
In hematological malignancies, leukemias or myelomas, malignant cells present bone marrow (BM) homing, in which the niche contributes to tumor development and drug resistance. BM architecture, cellular and molecular composition and interactions define differential microenvironments that govern cell fate under physiological and pathological conditions and serve as a reference for the native biological landscape to be replicated in engineered platforms attempting to reproduce blood cancer behavior. This review summarizes the different models used to efficiently reproduce certain aspects of BM in vitro; however, they still lack the complexity of this tissue, which is relevant for fundamental aspects such as drug resistance development in multiple myeloma. Extracellular matrix composition, material topography, vascularization, cellular composition or stemness vs. differentiation balance are discussed as variables that could be rationally defined in tissue engineering approaches for achieving more relevant in vitro models. Fully humanized platforms closely resembling natural interactions still remain challenging and the question of to what extent accurate tissue complexity reproduction is essential to reliably predict drug responses is controversial. However, the contributions of these approaches to the fundamental knowledge of non-solid tumor biology, its regulation by niches, and the advance of personalized medicine are unquestionable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Clara-Trujillo
- Center for Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering (CBIT), Universitat Politècnica de València, 46022 Valencia, Spain; (G.G.F.); (J.L.G.R.)
- Biomedical Research Networking Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), 46022 Valencia, Spain
- Correspondence:
| | - Gloria Gallego Ferrer
- Center for Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering (CBIT), Universitat Politècnica de València, 46022 Valencia, Spain; (G.G.F.); (J.L.G.R.)
- Biomedical Research Networking Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), 46022 Valencia, Spain
| | - José Luis Gómez Ribelles
- Center for Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering (CBIT), Universitat Politècnica de València, 46022 Valencia, Spain; (G.G.F.); (J.L.G.R.)
- Biomedical Research Networking Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN), 46022 Valencia, Spain
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20
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Lin Z, Luo G, Du W, Kong T, Liu C, Liu Z. Recent Advances in Microfluidic Platforms Applied in Cancer Metastasis: Circulating Tumor Cells' (CTCs) Isolation and Tumor-On-A-Chip. Small 2020; 16:e1903899. [PMID: 31747120 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201903899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2019] [Revised: 10/13/2019] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Cancer remains the leading cause of death worldwide despite the enormous efforts that are made in the development of cancer biology and anticancer therapeutic treatment. Furthermore, recent studies in oncology have focused on the complex cancer metastatic process as metastatic disease contributes to more than 90% of tumor-related death. In the metastatic process, isolation and analysis of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) play a vital role in diagnosis and prognosis of cancer patients at an early stage. To obtain relevant information on cancer metastasis and progression from CTCs, reliable approaches are required for CTC detection and isolation. Additionally, experimental platforms mimicking the tumor microenvironment in vitro give a better understanding of the metastatic microenvironment and antimetastatic drugs' screening. With the advancement of microfabrication and rapid prototyping, microfluidic techniques are now increasingly being exploited to study cancer metastasis as they allow precise control of fluids in small volume and rapid sample processing at relatively low cost and with high sensitivity. Recent advancements in microfluidic platforms utilized in various methods for CTCs' isolation and tumor models recapitulating the metastatic microenvironment (tumor-on-a-chip) are comprehensively reviewed. Future perspectives on microfluidics for cancer metastasis are proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengjie Lin
- College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Guanyi Luo
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Biomedical Measurements and Ultrasound Imaging, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Weixiang Du
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Biomedical Measurements and Ultrasound Imaging, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Tiantian Kong
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Biomedical Measurements and Ultrasound Imaging, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Changkun Liu
- College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Zhou Liu
- College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
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Trujillo-de Santiago G, Flores-Garza BG, Tavares-Negrete JA, Lara-Mayorga IM, González-Gamboa I, Zhang YS, Rojas-Martínez A, Ortiz-López R, Álvarez MM. The Tumor-on-Chip: Recent Advances in the Development of Microfluidic Systems to Recapitulate the Physiology of Solid Tumors. Materials (Basel) 2019; 12:E2945. [PMID: 31514390 PMCID: PMC6766252 DOI: 10.3390/ma12182945] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2019] [Revised: 09/03/2019] [Accepted: 09/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The ideal in vitro recreation of the micro-tumor niche-although much needed for a better understanding of cancer etiology and development of better anticancer therapies-is highly challenging. Tumors are complex three-dimensional (3D) tissues that establish a dynamic cross-talk with the surrounding tissues through complex chemical signaling. An extensive body of experimental evidence has established that 3D culture systems more closely recapitulate the architecture and the physiology of human solid tumors when compared with traditional 2D systems. Moreover, conventional 3D culture systems fail to recreate the dynamics of the tumor niche. Tumor-on-chip systems, which are microfluidic devices that aim to recreate relevant features of the tumor physiology, have recently emerged as powerful tools in cancer research. In tumor-on-chip systems, the use of microfluidics adds another dimension of physiological mimicry by allowing a continuous feed of nutrients (and pharmaceutical compounds). Here, we discuss recently published literature related to the culture of solid tumor-like tissues in microfluidic systems (tumor-on-chip devices). Our aim is to provide the readers with an overview of the state of the art on this particular theme and to illustrate the toolbox available today for engineering tumor-like structures (and their environments) in microfluidic devices. The suitability of tumor-on-chip devices is increasing in many areas of cancer research, including the study of the physiology of solid tumors, the screening of novel anticancer pharmaceutical compounds before resourcing to animal models, and the development of personalized treatments. In the years to come, additive manufacturing (3D bioprinting and 3D printing), computational fluid dynamics, and medium- to high-throughput omics will become powerful enablers of a new wave of more sophisticated and effective tumor-on-chip devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grissel Trujillo-de Santiago
- Centro de Biotecnología-FEMSA, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Monterrey, Nuevo León CP 64849, Mexico.
- Departamento de Ingeniería Mecátrónica y Eléctrica, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Monterrey, Nuevo León CP 64849, Mexico.
| | | | | | - Itzel Montserrat Lara-Mayorga
- Centro de Biotecnología-FEMSA, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Monterrey, Nuevo León CP 64849, Mexico
- Departamento de Ingeniería Mecátrónica y Eléctrica, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Monterrey, Nuevo León CP 64849, Mexico
| | - Ivonne González-Gamboa
- Centro de Biotecnología-FEMSA, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Monterrey, Nuevo León CP 64849, Mexico
| | - Yu Shrike Zhang
- Division of Engineering in Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Augusto Rojas-Martínez
- Centro de Investigación y Transferencia en Salud, Hospital San José, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Monterrey, Nuevo León CP 64849, Mexico
| | - Rocío Ortiz-López
- Centro de Investigación y Transferencia en Salud, Hospital San José, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Monterrey, Nuevo León CP 64849, Mexico
| | - Mario Moisés Álvarez
- Centro de Biotecnología-FEMSA, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Monterrey, Nuevo León CP 64849, Mexico.
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Cao X, Ashfaq R, Cheng F, Maharjan S, Li J, Ying G, Hassan S, Xiao H, Yue K, Zhang YS. A Tumor-on-a-Chip System with Bioprinted Blood and Lymphatic Vessel Pair. Adv Funct Mater 2019; 29:1807173. [PMID: 33041741 PMCID: PMC7546431 DOI: 10.1002/adfm.201807173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2018] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Current in vitro anti-tumor drug screening strategies are insufficiently portrayed lacking true perfusion and draining microcirculation systems, which may post significant limitation in reproducing the transport kinetics of cancer therapeutics explicitly. Herein, we report the fabrication of an improved tumor model consisting of bioprinted hollow blood vessel and lymphatic vessel pair, hosted in a three-dimensional (3D) tumor microenvironment-mimetic hydrogel matrix, termed as the tumor-on-a-chip with bioprinted blood and lymphatic vessel pair (TOC-BBL). The bioprinted blood vessel was perfusable channel with opening on both ends while the bioprinted lymphatic vessel was blinded on one end, both of which were embedded in a hydrogel tumor mass, with vessel permeability individually tunable through optimization of the composition of the bioinks. We demonstrated that systems with different combinations of these bioprinted blood/lymphatic vessels exhibited varying levels of diffusion profiles for biomolecules and anti-cancer drugs. Our TOC-BBL platform mimicking the natural pathway of drug-tumor interactions would have the drug introduced through the perfusable blood vessel, cross the vascular wall into the tumor tissue via diffusion, and eventually drained into the lymphatic vessel along with the carrier flow. Our results suggested that this unique in vitro tumor model containing the bioprinted blood/lymphatic vessel pair may have the capacity of simulating the complex transport mechanisms of certain pharmaceutical compounds inside the tumor microenvironment, potentially providing improved accuracy in future cancer drug screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Cao
- Division of Engineering in Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital; Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School Cambridge, MA, 02139; Department of Pharmaceutics and Tissue Engineering, School of Pharmacy, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, P.R. China
| | - Ramla Ashfaq
- Division of Engineering in Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital; Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School Cambridge, MA, 02139; National Center of Excellence in Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab, 87 West Canal Bank Rd, Thokar Niaz Baig, Lahore 53700, Pakistan
| | - Feng Cheng
- Division of Engineering in Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital; Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School Cambridge, MA, 02139
| | - Sushila Maharjan
- Division of Engineering in Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital; Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School Cambridge, MA, 02139
| | - Jun Li
- Division of Engineering in Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital; Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School Cambridge, MA, 02139
| | - Guoliang Ying
- Division of Engineering in Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital; Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School Cambridge, MA, 02139
| | - Shabir Hassan
- Division of Engineering in Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital; Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School Cambridge, MA, 02139
| | - Haiyan Xiao
- South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and Technology, School of Molecular Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, P.R. China State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, P.R. China
| | - Kan Yue
- South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and Technology, School of Molecular Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, P.R. China State Key Laboratory of Luminescent Materials and Devices, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, P.R. China
| | - Yu Shrike Zhang
- Division of Engineering in Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital; Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School Cambridge, MA, 02139
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Kumar V, Varghese S. Ex Vivo Tumor-on-a-Chip Platforms to Study Intercellular Interactions within the Tumor Microenvironment. Adv Healthc Mater 2019; 8:e1801198. [PMID: 30516355 PMCID: PMC6384151 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.201801198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2018] [Revised: 10/25/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
The emergence of immunotherapies and recent FDA approval of several of them makes them a promising therapeutic strategy for cancer. While these advancements underscore the potential of engaging the immune system to target tumors, this approach has so far been efficient only for certain cancers. Extending immunotherapy as a widely acceptable treatment for various cancers requires a deeper understanding of the interactions of tumor cells within the tumor microenvironment (TME). The immune cells are a key component of the TME, which also includes other stromal cells, soluble factors, and extracellular matrix-based cues. While in vivo studies function as a gold standard, tissue-engineered microphysiological tumor models can offer patient-specific insights into cancer-immune interactions. These platforms, which recapitulate cellular and non-cellular components of the TME, enable a systematic understanding of the contribution of each component toward disease progression in isolation and in concert. Microfluidic-based microphysiological platforms recreating these environments, also known as "tumor-on-a-chip," are increasingly being utilized to study the effect of various elements of TME on tumor development. Herein are reviewed advancements in tumor-on-a-chip technology that are developed and used to understand the interaction of tumor cells with other surrounding cells, including immune cells, in the TME.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vardhman Kumar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Shyni Varghese
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA,
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Duke University, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine Durham, NC 27703, USA
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24
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Aleman J, Skardal A. A multi-site metastasis-on-a-chip microphysiological system for assessing metastatic preference of cancer cells. Biotechnol Bioeng 2018; 116:936-944. [PMID: 30450540 DOI: 10.1002/bit.26871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2018] [Revised: 10/12/2018] [Accepted: 10/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Metastatic disease remains one of the primary reasons for cancer-related deaths, yet the majority of in vitro cancer models focus on the primary tumor sites. Here, we describe a metastasis-on-a-chip device that houses multiple bioengineered three-dimensional (3D) organoids, established by a 3D photopatterning technique employing extracellular matrix-derived hydrogel biomaterials. Specifically, cancer cells begin in colorectal cancer (CRC) organoid, which resides in a single microfluidic chamber connected to multiple downstream chambers in which liver, lung, and endothelial constructs are housed. Under recirculating fluid flow, tumor cells grow in the primary site, eventually enter circulation, and can be tracked via fluorescent imaging. Importantly, we describe that in the current version of this platform, HCT116 CRC cells preferentially home to the liver and lung constructs; the corresponding organs of which CRC metastases arise the most in human patients. We believe that in subsequent studies this platform can be implemented to better understand the mechanisms underlying metastasis, perhaps resulting in the identification of targets for intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julio Aleman
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Medical Center, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
| | - Aleksander Skardal
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Medical Center, Winston-Salem, North Carolina.,Virginia Tech-Wake Forest School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, North Carolina.,Department of Cancer Biology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, North Carolina.,Department of Molecular Medicine and Translational Science, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, North Carolina.,Comprehensive Cancer Center at Wake Forest Baptist Medical, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
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25
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Kashaninejad N, Nikmaneshi MR, Moghadas H, Kiyoumarsi Oskouei A, Rismanian M, Barisam M, Saidi MS, Firoozabadi B. Organ- Tumor-on-a-Chip for Chemosensitivity Assay: A Critical Review. Micromachines (Basel) 2016; 7:mi7080130. [PMID: 30404302 PMCID: PMC6190381 DOI: 10.3390/mi7080130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2016] [Revised: 06/22/2016] [Accepted: 07/18/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
With a mortality rate over 580,000 per year, cancer is still one of the leading causes of death worldwide. However, the emerging field of microfluidics can potentially shed light on this puzzling disease. Unique characteristics of microfluidic chips (also known as micro-total analysis system) make them excellent candidates for biological applications. The ex vivo approach of tumor-on-a-chip is becoming an indispensable part of personalized medicine and can replace in vivo animal testing as well as conventional in vitro methods. In tumor-on-a-chip, the complex three-dimensional (3D) nature of malignant tumor is co-cultured on a microfluidic chip and high throughput screening tools to evaluate the efficacy of anticancer drugs are integrated on the same chip. In this article, we critically review the cutting edge advances in this field and mainly categorize each tumor-on-a-chip work based on its primary organ. Specifically, design, fabrication and characterization of tumor microenvironment; cell culture technique; transferring mechanism of cultured cells into the microchip; concentration gradient generators for drug delivery; in vitro screening assays of drug efficacy; and pros and cons of each microfluidic platform used in the recent literature will be discussed separately for the tumor of following organs: (1) Lung; (2) Bone marrow; (3) Brain; (4) Breast; (5) Urinary system (kidney, bladder and prostate); (6) Intestine; and (7) Liver. By comparing these microchips, we intend to demonstrate the unique design considerations of each tumor-on-a-chip based on primary organ, e.g., how microfluidic platform of lung-tumor-on-a-chip may differ from liver-tumor-on-a-chip. In addition, the importance of heart–liver–intestine co-culture with microvasculature in tumor-on-a-chip devices for in vitro chemosensitivity assay will be discussed. Such system would be able to completely evaluate the absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity (ADMET) of anticancer drugs and more realistically recapitulate tumor in vivo-like microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Navid Kashaninejad
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, 11155-9567 Tehran, Iran.
| | | | - Hajar Moghadas
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, 11155-9567 Tehran, Iran.
| | | | - Milad Rismanian
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, 11155-9567 Tehran, Iran.
| | - Maryam Barisam
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, 11155-9567 Tehran, Iran.
| | - Mohammad Said Saidi
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, 11155-9567 Tehran, Iran.
| | - Bahar Firoozabadi
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, 11155-9567 Tehran, Iran.
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