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In vitro three-dimensional models in cancer research: a review

Abstract Three-dimensional (3D) cell cultures have recently garnered great attention because they promote levels of cells differentiation and tissue organisation not possible in conventional two-dimensional (2D) culture systems. Cancer development is a complex process regulated by interactions between epithelial cells, activated stromal cells, and soluble and insoluble components of the extracellular matrix (ECM). As a consequence, in the field of cancer biology a 3D tumour model that accurately recreates the in vivo tumour phenotype would be a valuable tool for studying tumour biology and would allow better pre-clinical evaluation of anticancer drug candidates. Here, we review the 3D tumour models currently available and the more advanced techniques from the tissue-engineering field used to create a more clinically accurate ex vivo tumour model. Moreover, we highlight the drastic differences in drug responses between 3D and 2D models and give a glance to the emerging multi-organ microdevices that can mimic in vivo tissue–tissue interactions.