Enhancement of Tumorigenicity, Spheroid Niche, and Drug Resistance of Pancreatic Cancer Cells in Three-Dimensional Culture System
Journal
Journal of Cancer
Journal Volume
15
Journal Issue
8
Date Issued
2024
Author(s)
Hung, Hao-Chien
Fan, Ming-Huei
Huang, Guan-Zhi
Minhalina, Ainani Priza
Chen, Chi-Long
Liu, Chao-Lien
Abstract
The three-dimensional (3D) cell culture technique has been applied comprehensively as a variable platform for medical research, biochemical signal pathway analysis, and evaluation of anti-tumor treatment response due to an excellent recapitulation of a tumor microenvironment (TME) in the in vitro cultured cancer cells. Pancreatic cancer (PaC) is one of the toughest malignancies with a complex TME and refractory treatment response. To comprehensively study the TME of PaC, there is an eager need to develop a 3D culture model to decompose the cellular components and their cross interactions. Herein, we establish a 3D PaC culture system with cancer stem cell (CSC) and scalability properties. To validate our model, we tested the individual PaC cell and the combined effects with cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) on cancer tumorigenicity, the cellular interaction through the CXCR3/CXCL10 axis, and cellular responses reflection of anti-cancer treatments. With the help of our 3D technology, a simulated malignant spheroid with important stromal populations and TME physiochemical properties may be successfully recreated. It can be used in a wide range of preclinical research and helpful in advancing basic and translational cancer biology.
Subjects
CXCR3/CXCL10 axis; Pancreatic cancer (PaC); cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF); spheroid model; therapeutic discovery.; three dimensional (3D); two dimensional (2D)
SDGs
Type
journal article