The Business of Biofabrication

Carcinotech’s recent study introduces a potential approach in cancer research through the development of patient-derived, 3D-printed lung cancer models. Their method, showcased at the 2024 European Association for Cancer Research Annual Congress and published in Molecular Oncology, replicates the tumor microenvironment (TME) using cells from patient biopsies, including TME components like cancer stem cells, CAFs, and immune cells.

Fig 1. Showing the Carcinotech workflow

The 3D-printed models are created by culturing patient-derived cells with custom TME bioinks and bioprinting them onto 96-well plates. Over 14 days, the models are characterized to ensure they closely mimic the original tumor’s complexity. The models demonstrated high accuracy in retaining the initial cell types and immune components, as well as responsiveness to standard and immunotherapeutic treatments.

This approach has merit, enabling high-throughput drug screening and accelerating the discovery of novel cancer therapies. By offering a more physiologically relevant model of the TME, these 3D constructs could provide pre-clinical research, providing a valuable tool for evaluating new and combinatorial cancer treatments.

Carcinotech’s patient-derived, 3D-printed tumor have a good direction as platforms for rapid and precise drug discovery, fostering the development of targeted and effective cancer therapies. We look forward to seeing further work done from their company.

About Carcinotech

Carcinotech is a biotechnology company based in Edinburgh, UK, specializing in 3D bioprinting of patient-derived cancer models. Their platform focuses on replicating the tumor microenvironment (TME) using cells from patient biopsies, which aids in drug development and personalized medicine. Carcinotech’s models offer a physiologically relevant platform for pre-clinical research, enabling high-throughput drug screening and the discovery of new and effective cancer therapies. Their work aims to accelerate the development of novel treatments tailored to individual patients’ needs.