This technology aims to provide a three-dimensional (3D) bioprinted tumor model based on natural and synthetic polymers containing several types of cells, which resembles cancer tissue. Our 3D-bioprinted tumor model has potential to predict the clinical outcome of a treatment compared to the other existing solutions, which either rely solely on genetic profiling or do not take into account the entire human living environment.
This technology has been validated with tri-culture of brain tumor (glioblastoma (GB) cells together with microglia and astrocytes) mixed with polymer-based hydrogels and printed with a 3D-printer, which resembled the biophysics of the tumor and its surrounding microenvironment.
The Need:
In order to overcome the drawbacks of 2D and 3D cell cultures, and potentially reduce expensive and slow animal testing, new analytical screening assays in three dimensions employing human cells are needed.
INDICATIONS and/or APPLICATIONS
• 3D bioprinting technique for personalized drug screening and in vitro disease modeling
• Microengineered tissue manufacturing
• 3D-printed vascularized cancer model
• Can be used as a platform for drug discovery and drug development
Our innovation:
• 3D engineered tumor tissue densely populated with living cells and functional perfusable vascular system that mimics the tumor-host interactions
• Rapid, robust and reproducible screening of the patient’s responsiveness to different drugs
• 3D-bioprinted tumors can be printed within hours in replicates, and the drugs can be tested on them after several days
Our solution:
This technology is a method for producing a 3D model of a tumor made of a synthetic material and a plurality of cell types (malignant cells and non-malignant cells of the tumor) being arranged in high matchability to a 3D image of the tumor. The 3D imaging data is transferred to a 3D printing data readable by a bioprinting system, which sequentially forms a plurality of layers on a receiving medium in a configured pattern corresponding to the 3D printing data. Additionally, a vascularization of the desired 3D tumor model can be achieved using a customized, high-resolution 3D printer that can form microchannels in biocompatible hydrogel materials. Consequently, this technology may serve as an invaluable tool for personalized drug screening and disease modeling. Along with 3D-bioprinted models, this technology can also potentially be modified for other promising applications in medical research, drug discovery, toxicology, and pre-clinical studies.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
US THREE-DIMENSIONAL TUMOR MODELS, METHODS OF MANUFACTURING SAME AMD USES THEREOF
App. Date 01/08/2017   Pub. # US20190367884A1  Pub. Date 12/05/2019