AccScience Publishing / IJB / Online First / DOI: 10.36922/ijb.2911
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Bioprinting native-like 3D micro breast cancer tissues utilizing existing cancer cell lines

Brian E. Grottkau1,2* Zhixin Hui1 Yonggang Pang1*
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1 The Laboratory for Therapeutic 3D Bioprinting, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
2 Department of Orthopedics, University of Miami Medical Center and Jackson Memorial Hospital, Miami, FL 33136, USA
IJB 2024, 10(3), 2911 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijb.2911
Submitted: 9 February 2024 | Accepted: 3 April 2024 | Published: 13 June 2024
© 2024 by the Author(s).. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ )
Abstract

3D cancer cell models provide a more accurate representation of in vivo conditions than traditional 2D cultures. Many cancer cell lines, while stable and extensively characterized in 2D environments, often underperform compared to primary cells in 3D models due to the inherent resource constraints and variability of the latter. To bridge this gap and harness the full potential of established cancer cell lines, we adopted the innovative direct volumetric drop-on-demand (DVDOD) bioprinting methodology that we have developed previously, leading to the inception of printed micro-cancer tissues (PMCaTs). Our method, notable for its bioink droplet scattering technique, enables the generation of intricate features within a droplet, allowing for the creation of typical architectures of breast cancer tissue. We created PMCaTs that captured the essence of micro breast cancer tissues, from native-like ductal structures and cancer nests to the intricate cancer microenvironment. This encompasses elements like cancer-associated fibroblasts, detailed microvasculature, and regions marked by both intensive proliferation and hypoxia. These bioprinted models demonstrate long-term viability and are instrumental for diverse research areas—from exploring cancer growth dynamics and hypoxia-induced behaviors to investigating the nuances of microvasculature, drug penetration capabilities, immune responses, metastatic trends, and clinical drug response predictions. Ultimately, our groundbreaking DVDOD bioprinting technique holds the promise of reshaping the landscape of cancer research, introducing advanced in vitro models poised to transform therapeutic exploration.

 

Keywords
Bioprinting
Direct volumetric drop-on-demand
3D micro breast cancer tissues
Native-like
Cancer cell lines
3D models
Funding
This project was funded by the Peabody Foundation, Inc., the Anthony and Constance Franchi Fund for Pediatric Orthopaedics, the Massachusetts General Hospital Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and University of Miami Medical Center and Jackson Memorial Hospital Department of Orthopaedics.
Conflict of interest
Dr. Brian E. Grottkau is the founder of 3D Biotherapeutics, Inc. Dr. Yonggang Pang and Zhixin Hui declare no conflict of interest.
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International Journal of Bioprinting, Electronic ISSN: 2424-8002 Print ISSN: 2424-7723, Published by AccScience Publishing