Biomaterials as ECM-like matrices for 3D in vitro tumor models

GelMA and Biomimetic Culture Allow the Engineering of Mineralized, Adipose, and Tumor Tissue Human Microenvironments for the Study of Advanced Prostate Cancer In Vitro and In Vivo

“…[42,48] Increasing evidence has demonstrated the importance of choosing relevant biomaterials and stiffnesses to create 3D models. [11,31] Here, we hypothesized that GelMA-based hydrogels would be a more tunable semisynthetic alternative to Matrigel, and other purely synthetic hydrogels, to create mineralized, adipose and tumor microtissues both in vitro and in vivo, and therefore develop the first humanized bone tumor models containing human BMadipocytes.…”

“…[9,10] To mimic the complexities of native ECM in 3D models, various biomaterials have been used with various degrees of success. [11] In cancer research, matrices of natural origin, including Matrigel, fibrin, collagen and gelatin are widely used. [11,12] Although Matrigel is considered the gold standard in mimicking the natural ECM, it presents intrinsic batch-to-batch variability and contains undefined elements as well as many fold higher growth factors content compared to native tissue, restricting data reproducibility and interpretation.…”

“…[11] In cancer research, matrices of natural origin, including Matrigel, fibrin, collagen and gelatin are widely used. [11,12] Although Matrigel is considered the gold standard in mimicking the natural ECM, it presents intrinsic batch-to-batch variability and contains undefined elements as well as many fold higher growth factors content compared to native tissue, restricting data reproducibility and interpretation. [13] To bridge the gap between synthetic and biological materials, semisynthetic matrices represent a good alternative, combining the advantages of natural ECM components and tunable properties, leading to higher reproducibility.…”

Synergistic Effect of Co‐Culturing Breast Cancer Cells and Fibroblasts in the Formation of Tumoroid Clusters and Design of In Vitro 3D Models for the Testing of Anticancer Agents

“…[1] Different risk factors could trigger breast cancer in women, to produce aECM with specific biological and architectural cues, which will ultimately influence cellular behavior. [19] Silk fibroin (SF) is a well-known natural-based biomaterial with promising applications as aECM for the development of in vitro tumor models. [22][23][24] This is due to its easy processability and enzymatic-crosslinking with horseradish peroxidase, [25,26] which allows the tuning of hydrogels gelation and final properties including, transparency, memory-shape, permeability, and stiffness.…”

“…[17,18] Different synthetic and natural-based biomaterials have been explored as artificial extracellular matrix (aECM) as an alter native to Matrigel, widely used in the past for 3D models development, but with the downside of a not well-defined composition and inferior mechanical properties. [19,20] Synthetic biomaterials have the advantage to be produced in an easy and high-fidelity way. [21] Natural-origin biopolymers, instead, can intrinsically mimic the ECM composition and structure.…”