Advances in establishment and analysis of three-dimensional tumor spheroid-based functional assays for target validation and drug evaluation.

ABSTRACT:

Background

There is overwhelming evidence that in vitro three-dimensional tumor cell cultures more accurately reflect the complex in vivo microenvironment than simple two-dimensional cell monolayers, not least with respect to gene expression profiles, signaling pathway activity and drug sensitivity. However, most currently available three-dimensional techniques are time consuming and/or lack reproducibility; thus standardized and rapid protocols are urgently needed.

Results

To address this requirement, we have developed a versatile toolkit of reproducible three-dimensional tumor spheroid models for dynamic, automated, quantitative imaging and analysis that are compatible with routine high-throughput preclinical studies. Not only do these microplate methods measure three-dime

SUBMITTER: Vinci M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3349530 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature