High-fat circulating nutrients promote growth and invasion in a 3D microfluidic tumor model of triple-negative breast cancer.

ABSTRACT: Diet influences the levels of small molecules that circulate in plasma and interstitial fluid, altering the biochemical composition of the tumor microenvironment (TME). These circulating nutrients have been associated with how tumors grow and respond to treatment, but it remains difficult to parse their direct effects on cancer cells. Here, we combine a three-dimensional (3D) microfluidic tumor model with physiologically relevant culture media to investigate how concentrations of circulating nutrients influence tumor growth, cancer cell invasion, and overall tumor metabolism. Human triple-negative breast cancer cells cultured in 2D under media conditions mimicking five different dietary states show no observable differences in proliferation or morphology. Nonetheless, those exposed to high

SUBMITTER: Kohram M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12338561 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature