Research >> Organ-on-a-chip >> Vascularized Tumor-on-a-chip
Although tumors are complex 3D structures with their own unique microenvironments, many studies ignore this complexity in the interest of simplicity and convenience. Studies are ofen performed using cell lines growing as 2D monolayers in plastic dishes, and the role of matrix, stromal cells, and vasculature is ignored. While 3D tumor spheroids can address some of these shortcomings, many tumor cell types, especially those with a highly invasive phenotype, cannot readily form spheroids. Patient-derived xenograf (PDX) models maintain the tumor microenvironment, but are time-consuming, expensive, and limited by the supply of tissue.
To address the concerns with current tumor models, we have developed a microphysiological system that incorporates human cells in a 3D extracellular matrix (ECM), supported by perfused human microvessels, which was referred as a vascularized micro-organ (VMO). By incorporating different types of tumor cells/tissues into the VMO, we could create the vascularized microtumors (VMTs). For example, in the closed microfluidic device, the microtumor cells/tissues and microvasculature was loaded and cultured in the tissue chamber simultaneously. While for the open microfluidic device, the tumor spheroids/ organoids could be inserted into the central through hole after the formation of microvascular network in a sequential order. In both design, the microfluidic devices are transparent, allowing for non-invasive optical imaging of the tissues. The VMT platform is thus an ideal model for studying tumor-vasculature interactions, tumor metastasis, and response of tumor cells and vasculature to anti-cancer drugs. |
Selected Publications
1.Agua Sobrino#, Duc T. T. Phan#, Rupsa Datta, Xiaolin Wang, Stephanie J. Hachey, Mónica Romero-López, Enrico Gratton, Abraham P Lee, Steven C. George and Christopher C.W. Hughes, "3D microtumors in vitro supported by perfused vascular networks," Scientific Reports, 2016, 6: 31589.
2.Qinyu Li, Kai Niu, Ding Wang, Lian Xuan and Xiaolin Wang*, Low-cost rapid prototyping and assembly of open microfluidic device for 3D vascularized organ-on-a-chip, Lab on a Chip, 2022, 22(14), 2682-2694.
1.Agua Sobrino#, Duc T. T. Phan#, Rupsa Datta, Xiaolin Wang, Stephanie J. Hachey, Mónica Romero-López, Enrico Gratton, Abraham P Lee, Steven C. George and Christopher C.W. Hughes, "3D microtumors in vitro supported by perfused vascular networks," Scientific Reports, 2016, 6: 31589.
2.Qinyu Li, Kai Niu, Ding Wang, Lian Xuan and Xiaolin Wang*, Low-cost rapid prototyping and assembly of open microfluidic device for 3D vascularized organ-on-a-chip, Lab on a Chip, 2022, 22(14), 2682-2694.