biostudies-literatureBoyce MWNational Institute of General Medical SciencesEli Lilly and CompanyNIGMS NIH HHSNational Science Foundation2819-2827https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC5557652biostudies-literatureUnknown142(15)In vitro models for screening new cancer chemotherapeutics often rely on two-dimensional cultures to predict therapeutic potential. Unfortunately, the predictive power of these models is limited, as they fail to recapitulate the complex three-dimensional environments in tumors that promote a chemoresistant phenotype. In this study, we describe the preparation and characterization of paper-based cultures (PBCs) engineered to assess chemotherapeutic effectiveness in three dimensional, diffusion-limited environments. Similar environments are found in poorly vascularized tumors. Monotonic gradients develop across these cultures, which are assembled by stacking cell-laden paper scaffolds to yield thick tissue-like structures, and provide distinct chemical environments for each scaffold. After pThe AnalystAssessing chemotherapeutic effectiveness using a paper-based tumor model.PMC5557652R01 GM110406CHE-1351595R01GM110406Lilly Young Investigator Award in Analytical ChemistryBoyce MWLockett MRLaBonia GJHummon ABfalseAssessing chemotherapeutic effectiveness using a paper-based tumor model.In vitro models for screening new cancer chemotherapeutics often rely on two-dimensional cultures to predict therapeutic potential. Unfortunately, the predictive power of these models is limited, as they fail to recapitulate the complex three-dimensional environments in tumors that promote a chemoresistant phenotype. In this study, we describe the preparation and characterization of paper-based cultures (PBCs) engineered to assess chemotherapeutic effectiveness in three dimensional, diffusion-limited environments. Similar environments are found in poorly vascularized tumors. Monotonic gradients develop across these cultures, which are assembled by stacking cell-laden paper scaffolds to yield thick tissue-like structures, and provide distinct chemical environments for each scaffold. After p2017-01-01T00:00:00Z2017 Jul2025-04-19T08:43:30.697Z2019-03-26T23:47:20ZS-EPMC55576522870252910.1039/c7an00806f