Advances in 3D Bioprinting for Breast Cancer Modeling: Tumor Microenvironment, Metastasis, and Drug Screening
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a complex and heterogeneous milieu encompassing biological and biochemical events and diverse physical, chemical, and mechanical interactions between tumor and stromal cells. This heterogeneity plays a pivotal role in regulating tumor progression, metastasis, and resistance to therapy. In breast cancer, cancer-associated fibroblasts, adipocytes, endothelial cells, and immune cells all contribute to this intricate environment, necessitating precise spatial and cellular modeling to better replicate physiological conditions. Moreover, angiogenesis and metastasis are key contributors to breast cancer mortality. Therefore, three-dimensional (3D) models that incorporate co-cultures of cancer and stromal cells are essential for recreating realistic TMEs. This review highlights the advances in 3D bioprinting technologies for modeling the breast cancer TME. We discuss their potential in drug screening, explore their advantages and limitations, and outline future directions to enhance their fidelity and translational relevance.
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Authors: Mustafa Nakipoğlu, Mahboobeh Mahmoodi, Ehsanul Hoque Apu, Fahimeh Shahabipour, Sibel Emi̇r Di̇ltemi̇z, Sanjib Saha, Halima Alem, Nureddin A. Ashammakhi
Institutions: University of Iowa, Michigan State University, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, University of Turku, Université de Lorraine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Institut Universitaire de France, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Eskisehir Technical University, Samueli Institute, Islamic Azad University, Yazd