title: 3D matrix-based cell cultures: Automated analysis of tumor cell survival and proliferation.
abstract: Three-dimensional ex vivo cell cultures mimic physiological in vivo growth conditions thereby significantly contributing to our understanding of tumor cell growth and survival, therapy resistance and identification of novel potent cancer targets. In the present study, we describe advanced three-dimensional cell culture methodology for investigating cellular survival and proliferation in human carcinoma cells after cancer therapy including molecular therapeutics. Single cells are embedded into laminin-rich extracellular matrix and can be treated with cytotoxic drugs, ionizing or UV radiation or any other substance of interest when consolidated and approximating in vivo morphology. Subsequently, cells are allowed to grow for automated determination of clonogenic survival (colony number) or proliferation (colony size). The entire protocol of 3D cell plating takes ~1 h working time and pursues for ~7 days before evaluation. This newly developed method broadens the spectrum of exploration of malignant tumors and other diseases and enables the obtainment of more reliable data on cancer treatment efficacy.
authors.affiliation: OncoRay-National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, D-01307 Dresden, Germany.
authors.forename: Iris
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Eke
authors.affiliation: OncoRay-National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, D-01307 Dresden, Germany.
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hehlgans
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Clinical Center, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
authors.forename: Veit
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sandfort
authors.affiliation: OncoRay-National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, D-01307 Dresden, Germany.
authors.forename: Nils
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Cordes
mesh_terms: D002277:Carcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D006801:Humans; D007797:Laminin / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D007797:Laminin