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In Vitro Three-Dimensional Cell Cultures as Tool for Precision Medicine

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Mechanisms of Molecular Carcinogenesis – Volume 2

Abstract

For decades of molecular cancer research, immortal cancer cell lines have served as an easily accessible source for basic cancer biology research and preclinical testing of anticancer drugs. However, numerous studies have suggested that these cell lines poorly recapitulate the diversity, heterogeneity, and resulting drug resistance or relapse in patients. The derivation and (short-term) culture of primary cells from solid tumors have thus gained significant importance in personalized cancer therapy. This chapter focuses on our current understanding and the pros and cons of different preclinical and prospective clinical models of three-dimensional primary tumor cultures. We will discuss cell culture approaches, such as biomimetic scaffolds and growth factor supplemented, chemically defined media for various forms of solid tumors. Complex culture models of primary tumor cells could finally provide a key missing link between compound screening and clinical trials and ultimately will help redefining therapeutic intervention with high translational relevance at the level of the individual patient.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. CPO-Cellular Phenomics and Oncology Berlin-Buch GmbH, Robert-Rössle-Str. 10, Berlin, 13125, Germany

    Alessandra Silvestri PhD, Maxine Silvestrov & Christian R. A. Regenbrecht PhD

  2. Institute of Pathology and Comprehensive Cancer Center, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, Berlin, 10117, Germany

    Dirk Schumacher & Reinhold Schäfer PhD

  3. German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, Heidelberg, 69120, Germany

    Dirk Schumacher & Reinhold Schäfer PhD

  4. Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, 46285, IN, USA

    Christoph Reinhard PhD

  5. EPO-Experimental Pharmacology and Oncology Berlin-Buch GmbH, Robert-Rössle-Str. 10, Berlin, 13125, Germany

    Jens Hoffmann PhD

  6. Quantitative Biology, Eli Lilly and Company, Avenida de la Industria, 30, Alcobendas, 28108, Madrid, Spain

    Karsten Boehnke PhD

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  1. Alessandra Silvestri PhD
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  8. Christian R. A. Regenbrecht PhD
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Correspondence to Christian R. A. Regenbrecht PhD .

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  1. Department of Pathology, Medical Faculty, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany

    Johannes Haybaeck

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Silvestri, A. et al. (2017). In Vitro Three-Dimensional Cell Cultures as Tool for Precision Medicine. In: Haybaeck, J. (eds) Mechanisms of Molecular Carcinogenesis – Volume 2. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-53661-3_14

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