Three-Dimensional Breast Cancer Models Mimic Hallmarks of Size-Induced Tumor Progression.

ABSTRACT: Tumor size is strongly correlated with breast cancer metastasis and patient survival. Increased tumor size contributes to hypoxic and metabolic gradients in the solid tumor and to an aggressive tumor phenotype. Thus, it is important to develop three-dimensional (3D) breast tumor models that recapitulate size-induced microenvironmental changes and, consequently, natural tumor progression in real time without the use of artificial culture conditions or gene manipulations. Here, we developed size-controlled multicellular aggregates ("microtumors") of subtype-specific breast cancer cells by using non-adhesive polyethylene glycol dimethacrylate hydrogel microwells of defined sizes (150-600 μm). These 3D microtumor models faithfully represent size-induced microenvironmental changes, such as hypo

SUBMITTER: Singh M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4947371 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature