Three-dimensional artificial tumor
Scientists have printed a cancerous tumor on a 3D printer
sci-lib based on ScienceDaily: 3-D printing cancer cells to mimic tumorsA group of scientists from China and the USA was able to successfully create a 3D model of a malignant tumor using a 3D printer.
The model, consisting of a skeleton of fibrous proteins covered with a layer of cervical cancer cells, provides a realistic three-dimensional simulation of the tumor environment. It can be used to search for new anti-cancer drugs, to study the mechanisms of development and spread of tumors in the body.
The model obtained by scientists has a mesh structure (10 mm in diameter), formed by gelatin, alginate and fibrin, recreating fibrous proteins that form an extracellular tumor matrix.
The mesh structure is covered with HeLa cells – unique, "immortal" cells that were originally obtained from a malignant tumor of the human cervix in 1951. Due to the ability of these cells to divide endlessly in the laboratory, the HeLa line has been used in some breakthrough scientific research over the past 50 years. Although the most effective way to study tumors is to use models in clinical settings, there are a number of norms that impose restrictions on this.
To overcome the difficulties encountered, 2D models consisting of a single layer of cells were created. These models allow simulating the physiological environment of tumors in such a way that it is possible to evaluate the real effectiveness of various drugs. With the advent of three-dimensional printing technologies, it became possible to create a more realistic model of the environment surrounding the tumor. The authors of the study managed to demonstrate this by comparing the results obtained using a three-dimensional model with the results obtained using a two-dimensional model.
If the cells remained viable after printing, the scientists also checked how these cells proliferated, expressed specific sets of protein molecules, and how resistant they were to antitumor drugs. Experts considered matrix metalloproteinases. These proteins are used by malignant neoplasm cells to pass through the matrix surrounding them and help the tumor spread throughout the body. Resistance to the action of anticancer drugs, which have also been studied, is a reliable sign of malignancy of the neoplasm.
The results obtained by specialists showed that 90% of malignant tumor cells remain viable after printing. The results also suggest that three-dimensional models have a greater number of characteristics identical to tumors compared to two-dimensional models. In 3D models, tumor cells showed a higher level of proliferation, protein expression, and resistance to antitumor agents. "We managed to create a scalable, universal three–dimensional model of a malignant neoplasm, which is more similar to a natural malignant neoplasm compared to a two-dimensional model of cultured malignant cells," says Professor Wei Sun (Wei Sun, lead author of the study, an employee of Drexel University USA and Tsinghua University). The authors of the study believe that their proposed model will be appropriate for a comprehensive study of the biology of tumors.
A more detailed description of the results of the study can be found in the journal Biofabrication:
Yu Zhao et al., Three-dimensional printing of Hela cells for cervical tumor model in vitro.
Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru15.04.2014