Strategies for developing complex multi-component in vitro tumor models: Highlights in glioblastoma

In recent years, many research groups have begun to utilize bioengineered in vitro models of cancer to study mechanisms of disease progression, test drug candidates, and develop platforms to advance personalized drug treatment options. Due to advances in cell and tissue engineering over the last few decades, there are now a myriad of tools that can be used to create such in vitro systems. In this review, we describe the considerations one must take when developing model systems that accurately mimic the in vivo tumor microenvironment (TME) and can be used to answer specific scientific questions. We will summarize the importance of cell sourcing in models with one or multiple cell types and outline the importance of choosing biomaterials that accurately mimic the native extracellular matrix (ECM) of the tumor or tissue that is being modeled. We then provide examples of how these two components can be used in concert in a variety of model form factors and conclude by discussing how biofabrication techniques such as bioprinting and organ-on-a-chip fabrication can be used to create highly reproducible complex in vitro models. Since this topic has a broad range of applications, we use the final section of the review to dive deeper into one type of cancer, glioblastoma, to illustrate how these components come together to further our knowledge of cancer biology and move us closer to developing novel drugs and systems that improve patient outcomes.(c) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

In recent years, bioengineered in vitro models of cancer have been widely used for studying disease mechanisms, testing drugs, and developing personalized treatment options. This review discusses the considerations in developing accurate model systems that mimic the tumor microenvironment and can answer specific scientific questions. The importance of cell sourcing and biomaterial selection is emphasized, and examples of model form factors and biofabrication techniques are provided. The review also explores the application of these models in the context of glioblastoma, illustrating how they contribute to cancer biology research and drug development.