title: A 3D in vitro cancer model as a platform for nanoparticle uptake and imaging investigations.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Division of Surgery and Interventional Science, University College London, 9th Floor Royal Free Campus, Rowland Hill Street, NW3 2PF, London, UK; Department of Medical Physics and Bioengineering, University College London, Malet Place Engineering Building, WC1E 6BT, London, UK.
authors.forename: Kate P M
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Ricketts
authors.forename: Umber
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Cheema
authors.forename: Agata
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nyga
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Castoldi
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Guazzoni
authors.forename: Tarig
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Magdeldin
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Emberton
authors.forename: Adam P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Gibson
authors.forename: Gary J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Royle
authors.forename: Marilena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Loizidou
mesh_terms: D016475:3T3 Cells; D000818:Animals; D002138:Calibration; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry; D051379:Mice; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods; D059016:Tumor Microenvironment; D014965:X-Rays
chemical_list: D006046:Gold
keywords: 3D in vitro model; X-ray fluorescence; cancer model; gold nanoparticles; imaging