Three-Dimensional Culture Systems in Neuroblastoma Research
Basic and translational cancer biology research requires model systems that recapitulate the features of human tumors. While two-dimensional (2D) cell cultures have been foundational and allowed critical advances, they lack the organizational complexity, cellular interactions, and extracellular matr...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-05-01
|
| Series: | Organoids |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2674-1172/4/2/10 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1850165192257699840 |
|---|---|
| author | Piotr Jung Adam J. Wolpaw |
| author_facet | Piotr Jung Adam J. Wolpaw |
| author_sort | Piotr Jung |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Basic and translational cancer biology research requires model systems that recapitulate the features of human tumors. While two-dimensional (2D) cell cultures have been foundational and allowed critical advances, they lack the organizational complexity, cellular interactions, and extracellular matrix present in vivo. Mouse models have thus remained the gold standard for studying cancer. In addition to high cost and low throughput, mouse models can also suffer from reduced tumor heterogeneity and species-specific differences. Three-dimensional (3D) culture models have emerged as a key intermediary between 2D cell lines and mouse models, with lower cost and greater flexibility than mouse models and a more accurate representation of the tumor microenvironment than 2D cell lines. In neuroblastoma, an aggressive childhood cancer, 3D models have been applied to study drug responses, cell motility, and tumor–matrix interactions. Recent advances include the integration of immune cells for immunotherapy studies, mesenchymal stromal cells for tumor–stroma interactions, and bioprinted systems to manipulate matrix properties. This review examines the use of 3D culture systems in neuroblastoma, highlighting their advantages and limitations while emphasizing their potential to bridge gaps between in vitro, preclinical, and clinical applications. By improving our understanding of neuroblastoma biology, 3D models hold promise for advancing therapeutic strategies and outcomes in this childhood cancer. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-1907eb6d326541a1bab942ec8fbbcd32 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2674-1172 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Organoids |
| spelling | doaj-art-1907eb6d326541a1bab942ec8fbbcd322025-08-20T02:21:49ZengMDPI AGOrganoids2674-11722025-05-01421010.3390/organoids4020010Three-Dimensional Culture Systems in Neuroblastoma ResearchPiotr Jung0Adam J. Wolpaw1Division of Oncology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USADivision of Oncology, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USABasic and translational cancer biology research requires model systems that recapitulate the features of human tumors. While two-dimensional (2D) cell cultures have been foundational and allowed critical advances, they lack the organizational complexity, cellular interactions, and extracellular matrix present in vivo. Mouse models have thus remained the gold standard for studying cancer. In addition to high cost and low throughput, mouse models can also suffer from reduced tumor heterogeneity and species-specific differences. Three-dimensional (3D) culture models have emerged as a key intermediary between 2D cell lines and mouse models, with lower cost and greater flexibility than mouse models and a more accurate representation of the tumor microenvironment than 2D cell lines. In neuroblastoma, an aggressive childhood cancer, 3D models have been applied to study drug responses, cell motility, and tumor–matrix interactions. Recent advances include the integration of immune cells for immunotherapy studies, mesenchymal stromal cells for tumor–stroma interactions, and bioprinted systems to manipulate matrix properties. This review examines the use of 3D culture systems in neuroblastoma, highlighting their advantages and limitations while emphasizing their potential to bridge gaps between in vitro, preclinical, and clinical applications. By improving our understanding of neuroblastoma biology, 3D models hold promise for advancing therapeutic strategies and outcomes in this childhood cancer.https://www.mdpi.com/2674-1172/4/2/10neuroblastoma3D culturespheroidstumorspheresorganoids |
| spellingShingle | Piotr Jung Adam J. Wolpaw Three-Dimensional Culture Systems in Neuroblastoma Research Organoids neuroblastoma 3D culture spheroids tumorspheres organoids |
| title | Three-Dimensional Culture Systems in Neuroblastoma Research |
| title_full | Three-Dimensional Culture Systems in Neuroblastoma Research |
| title_fullStr | Three-Dimensional Culture Systems in Neuroblastoma Research |
| title_full_unstemmed | Three-Dimensional Culture Systems in Neuroblastoma Research |
| title_short | Three-Dimensional Culture Systems in Neuroblastoma Research |
| title_sort | three dimensional culture systems in neuroblastoma research |
| topic | neuroblastoma 3D culture spheroids tumorspheres organoids |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2674-1172/4/2/10 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT piotrjung threedimensionalculturesystemsinneuroblastomaresearch AT adamjwolpaw threedimensionalculturesystemsinneuroblastomaresearch |