Cell culture and in vitro models are the cornerstone of cancer research, and they rely on a plethora of cell lines developed from various cancers. They serve as a great first step in preclinical research for quick screening and drug testing. Cells in vitro are evenly spread and have optimal access to the media, metabolites or compounds, and show good response to treatment. However, when these drugs are then applied on animal models, they often fail due to various factors, including cell morphology, cell-cell contacts, microenvironment or immunity. 3D in vitro models can model some of these features and provide a better model for cancer studies.
The goal of this Research Topic is to demonstrate the advantages of 3D in vitro models compared to the traditional 2D cell culture models. Many cancers can be modeled at various levels of complexity, using both immortalized cell lines or patient material/primary cultures. 3D models can be used not only for preclinical drug testing, but also for the investigation of many biological processes, both physiological and pathological. Therefore, this Research Topic aims to collect different examples of applicable research in 3D in vitro models. This could contribute to the 3R principle in using animal models - reduce, replace, refine - as research done on such 3D systems more closely resembles in vivo conditions.
We encourage submission of research done on any type of 3D in vitro models: from spheroids, organoids or tumoroids to in vitro organogenesis and beyond. Comparison of cells grown in 2D to 3D conditions, basic mechanisms of cell biology, investigation of stemness, differentiation, resistance and other biological and/or pathological processes are encouraged. Investigation of various compounds, in either basic or preclinical setting, is also encouraged. Review papers on this topic will also be considered if they bring new ideas, viewpoint or features not already reviewed in other papers. Reviews should be citing as many original research papers as possible, and not other review papers.
Keywords:
spheroid, organoid, tumoroid, cancer, cell culture
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
Cell culture and in vitro models are the cornerstone of cancer research, and they rely on a plethora of cell lines developed from various cancers. They serve as a great first step in preclinical research for quick screening and drug testing. Cells in vitro are evenly spread and have optimal access to the media, metabolites or compounds, and show good response to treatment. However, when these drugs are then applied on animal models, they often fail due to various factors, including cell morphology, cell-cell contacts, microenvironment or immunity. 3D in vitro models can model some of these features and provide a better model for cancer studies.
The goal of this Research Topic is to demonstrate the advantages of 3D in vitro models compared to the traditional 2D cell culture models. Many cancers can be modeled at various levels of complexity, using both immortalized cell lines or patient material/primary cultures. 3D models can be used not only for preclinical drug testing, but also for the investigation of many biological processes, both physiological and pathological. Therefore, this Research Topic aims to collect different examples of applicable research in 3D in vitro models. This could contribute to the 3R principle in using animal models - reduce, replace, refine - as research done on such 3D systems more closely resembles in vivo conditions.
We encourage submission of research done on any type of 3D in vitro models: from spheroids, organoids or tumoroids to in vitro organogenesis and beyond. Comparison of cells grown in 2D to 3D conditions, basic mechanisms of cell biology, investigation of stemness, differentiation, resistance and other biological and/or pathological processes are encouraged. Investigation of various compounds, in either basic or preclinical setting, is also encouraged. Review papers on this topic will also be considered if they bring new ideas, viewpoint or features not already reviewed in other papers. Reviews should be citing as many original research papers as possible, and not other review papers.
Keywords:
spheroid, organoid, tumoroid, cancer, cell culture
Important Note:
All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.