Recapitulating Patient-to-Patient Colorectal Cancer Tumor Heterogeneity Using Patient-Derived Xenograft Cells in an Engineered Tissue Model.

ABSTRACT: Establishing in vitro cancer models that more closely recapitulate patient tumor microenvironmental heterogeneity, including variations in stromal cells and mechanical properties that influence colorectal cancer (CRC) progression, is crucial for advancing CRC research. This study evaluated the ability of 3D engineered CRC-PDX (3D-eCRC-PDX) tissues to recapitulate the heterogeneity found between patient-derived xenograft (PDX) tumors from three CRC patients (stage II, III-B, and IV). To form the 3D-eCRC-PDX tissues, CRC-PDX tumor cells were encapsulated in PEG-fibrinogen hydrogels and maintained for 29 days in vitro. 3D-eCRC-PDX tissues recapitulated key patient-specific tumor characteristics. During long-term culture, 3D-eCRC-PDX tissues mimicked the patient-specific growth r

SUBMITTER: Hassani I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12724408 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature