3D printed tumor could help find a cure for cancer

Scientists from NITU MISIS have created a technology for producing cancer tumor equivalents using 3D bioprinting technology. They are necessary for a deeper study of the mechanisms of malignant neoplasms formation and search for better methods of their treatment.

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Now for these purposes in the laboratory, experts use single-layer cell models. However, they have a two-dimensional structure and can not realistically reproduce a volumetric tumor. Because of this disadvantage, it is impossible to trace on them how the drug penetrates deep into the tissue.

"Three-dimensional equivalents of tumor tissue that could simulate its structure in vitro are not yet used by pharma companies. But their creation and introduction into the process of developing new antitumor drugs is just a matter of time," said Elizaveta Kudan, head of the university's research and education laboratory of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

To create the model on a 3D-bioprinter, the developers took pancreatic cancer cells and fibroblasts - skin cells, which were used as the main component of the malignant tumor microenvironment.

Read more in an exclusive Izvestia piece:

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