3D printed tumor models assist in developing complex cancer treatment plans

Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, October 16 (Xinhua) - An international research team published a paper in the new issue of the British journal Nature, stating that they have developed a 3D modeling method by combining biological 3D printing technology with microfluidic chip technology, which helps to more accurately understand complex cancers such as heterogeneous tumors and explore better treatment options.Heterogeneous tumors refer to tumors with more than one type of cancer cell, usually dispersed in unpredictable patterns

Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, October 16 (Xinhua) - An international research team published a paper in the new issue of the British journal Nature, stating that they have developed a 3D modeling method by combining biological 3D printing technology with microfluidic chip technology, which helps to more accurately understand complex cancers such as heterogeneous tumors and explore better treatment options.

Heterogeneous tumors refer to tumors with more than one type of cancer cell, usually dispersed in unpredictable patterns. Researchers from institutions such as the University of Waterloo in Canada introduced that traditionally, doctors would biopsy patients' tumors, extract cells, and then culture them in laboratory petri dishes for research. However, in recent years, the repeated cases of treatment failure in human experiments have made scientists realize that 2D models cannot fully reflect the true tumor structure in the body. The new study solves this problem by creating a 3D model that not only reflects the complexity of the tumor, but also simulates the surrounding environment of the tumor.

Firstly, the research team developed polymer microfluidic chips. This is a small structure with etched channels that can simulate the flow of blood and other fluids around tumors. Next, they cultured various types of cancer cells and suspended these cell cultures in a customized "bio ink" aimed at maintaining the activity of the cell culture. Finally, they used an extrusion biological 3D printer that printed organic materials to layer different types of cancer cells onto prepared microfluidic chips, and thus obtained a 3D model of heterogeneous tumors. Scientists can use it to test different treatment plans, such as various chemotherapy drugs.

The research team introduced that they are particularly interested in creating complex 3D models of breast cancer. Among various cancers, the treatment of breast cancer is particularly challenging because it is a complex tumor containing multiple types of cells when it metastasizes. If diagnosis is based solely on one or two biopsies, it may render the treatment plan ineffective. The researchers believe that the 3D printed tumor model shows that the new technology can help provide a faster, cheaper and less painful treatment scheme for serious cancers such as advanced breast cancer.

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