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A 3D In Vitro Cancer Model as a Platform for Nanoparticle Uptake and Imaging Investigations
Author(s) -
Ricketts Kate P. M.,
Cheema Umber,
Nyga Agata,
Castoldi Andrea,
Guazzoni Chiara,
Magdeldin Tarig,
Emberton Mark,
Gibson Adam P.,
Royle Gary J.,
Loizidou Marilena
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
small
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.785
H-Index - 236
eISSN - 1613-6829
pISSN - 1613-6810
DOI - 10.1002/smll.201400194
Subject(s) - in vivo , cancer cell , cancer , nanotechnology , cancer imaging , tumor microenvironment , cancer therapy , in vitro , fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy , materials science , biophysics , preclinical imaging , stroma , nanoparticle , chemistry , cancer research , biomedical engineering , fluorescence , biology , biochemistry , medicine , pathology , genetics , microbiology and biotechnology , physics , immunohistochemistry , quantum mechanics
In order to maximize the potential of nanoparticles (NPs) in cancer imaging and therapy, their mechanisms of interaction with host tissue need to be fully understood. NP uptake is known to be dramatically influenced by the tumor microenvironment, and an imaging platform that could replicate in vivo cellular conditions would make big strides in NP uptake studies. Here, a novel NP uptake platform consisting of a tissue‐engineered 3D in vitro cancer model (tumoroid), which mimics the microarchitecture of a solid cancer mass and stroma, is presented. As the tumoroid exhibits fundamental characteristics of solid cancer tissue and its cellular and biochemical parameters are controllable, it provides a real alternative to animal models. Furthermore, an X‐ray fluorescence imaging system is developed to demonstrate 3D imaging of GNPs and to determine uptake efficiency within the tumoroid. This platform has implications for optimizing the targeted delivery of NPs to cells to benefit cancer diagnostics and therapy.