“In vitro” 3D models of tumor-immune system interaction

• Published in: Advanced drug delivery reviews 2014-12, Vol.79-80, p.145-154
• Main Authors: Hirt, Christian, Papadimitropoulos, Adam, Mele, Valentina, Muraro, Manuele G., Mengus, Chantal, Iezzi, Giandomenica, Terracciano, Luigi, Martin, Ivan, Spagnoli, Giulio C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Cancer; Cell Culture Techniques; Cell Differentiation; Cell Hypoxia - immunology; Cytokines - immunology; Disease Progression; Humans; Hypoxia; Immune system; In Vitro Techniques; Lactic Acid - metabolism; Models, Biological; Neoplasms - immunology; Neoplasms - pathology; Neoplasms - therapy; Perfusion bioreactors; Three-dimensional cultures
• ISSN: 0169-409X; 1872-8294
• DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2014.05.003

Interaction between cancer cells and immune system critically affects development, progression and treatment of human malignancies. Experimental animal models and conventional “in vitro” studies have provided a wealth of information on this interaction, currently used to develop immune-mediated therapies. Studies utilizing three-dimensional culture technologies have emphasized that tumor architecture dramatically influences cancer cell–immune system interaction by steering cytokine production and regulating differentiation patterns of myeloid cells, and decreasing the sensitivity of tumor cells to lymphocyte effector functions. Hypoxia and increased production of lactic acid by tumor cells cultured in 3D architectures appear to be mechanistically involved. 3D culture systems could be further developed to (i) include additional cell partners potentially influencing cancer cell-immune system interaction, (ii) enable improved control of hypoxia, and (iii) allow the use of freshly derived clinical cancer specimens. Such advanced models will represent new tools for cancer immunobiology studies and for pre-clinical assessment of innovative treatments. [Display omitted]