De-skilling 3D tumor models Tissue-engineered 3D cancer models have grown in popularity with recent advances in cancer research. 3D models are more biomimetic than 2D cell monolayers cultured on tissue culture plastic. Examples are spheroids, tumorspheres, organoids, PDX and lately, tumoroids, which differ by origin (cell line or patient-derived), size, the complexity of cellular architecture and tumor environment….
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Immuno-oncology
A new in vitro strategy Immuno-oncology is a unique combination of oncology and immunology. By activating or amplifying the body’s natural defenses, immuno-oncology aims to boost the immune system to fight cancer better. Targeted antibodies or immunomodulators are well-known immunotherapies; adoptive cell therapy using CAR-T or TCR cells is particularly important,…
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Tumor microenvironment
The role of CSCs and the TME Cellular interactions in the tumor microenvironment (TME) significantly influence cancer progression and drug response. The efficacy of immunotherapies has triggered increased interest in the tumor immune microenvironment. Therefore, robust experimental systems are needed to enable researchers to model patient-specific interactions between tumor cells and immune cells….
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PDX mouse: Pushing the possibilities with ex vivo cell culture
Innovating mouse research such as PDX mouse models is key to improving cancer therapeutics. In translating scientific findings from mice to men, multiple techniques of collecting biological data are necessary. This article will explain how….
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A Home for Cancer Stem Cells: 3D Tumorspheres
Many scientists working in oncology focus on cancer stem cells (CSCs). Targeting these cells specifically could improve cancer therapy significantly. Because CSCs rely heavily on their environment, three-dimensional cultivation offers the unique opportunity to better understand this interaction. We talked to two scientists working in this field of cancer research.
In the human body,…
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From biopsy to assay development
Struggling to get high quality biopsies? Isolating patient-derived cancer cells from different types of biopsies (bone marrow biopsy, core needle biopsy, endoscopic biopsy, etc.) is the golden standard for cancer research. However, obtaining regular surgical biopsies from patients is a challenging prospect. Additionally, the variability of the quality of tissue samples can be pretty high….
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Making best use of your PDX mouse
Transfer from PDX to in vitro assays Xenograft models are extensively used to provide information about the safety and efficacy in drug development, especially for targeted cancer therapies. Patient-derived xenograft (PDX) mice are the preferred mouse tumor models, but cell line-derived xenografts (CDXs) and nude rat xenografts are also used. Nevertheless,…
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Advancements and applications of tumor organoids in cancer research
Organoid models of patient-specific tumors are transforming our understanding of cancer heterogeneity and its implications for personalized medicine.
In this interview with BioTechniques, our experts, Janina Moros, Alexander Trampe and Zinnia Noor, discuss the benefits of tumor organoids, how to establish and culture them and their applications across different areas of cancer biology….
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Applications for our cancer media toolbox
We have developed a toolbox of cancer cell media to establish primary cancer cell lines from biopsies, develop 3D tumor models or build screening assays. Below you find the different application areas to discover solutions for your workflow and choose the right medium or combination of media to leverage your cancer research….
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CSC therapy – towards new opportunities
CSCs as therapeutic targets Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a small subset of tumor cells that are able to evade anti-tumor defense mechanisms and suppress anti-tumor immune responses by releasing soluble immunosuppressive factors, such as anti-inflammatory cytokines. CSCs appear to have multiple strategies to escape immunological destruction, including the acquisition of genetic and non-genetic alterations that reduce immune recognition,…
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Scaling up from 2D monolayers to complex 3D cell cultures
Using three-dimensional cell cultures is more popular today than ever. Yet as the complexity of cell culture increases – from 2D cell culture, spheroids, 3D models up to organoids – so do the variables. This means you should plan carefully before advancing from 2D to 3D cell culture. Keeping several key factors in mind,…
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Cancer Stem Cells
Definition of Cancer Stem Cells Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are rare, immortal cells within a tumor that display the characteristics of stemness. Stemness means that a cell has the ability to perpetuate its lineage, give rise to differentiated cells, as well as to interact with its environment to maintain a balance between quiescence,…
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