title: Cancer drug discovery: recent innovative approaches to tumor modeling.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cell culture models have been at the heart of anti-cancer drug discovery programs for over half a century. Advancements in cell culture techniques have seen the rapid evolution of more complex in vitro cell culture models investigated for use in drug discovery. Three-dimensional (3D) cell culture research has become a strong focal point, as this technique permits the recapitulation of the tumor microenvironment. Biologically relevant 3D cellular models have demonstrated significant promise in advancing cancer drug discovery, and will continue to play an increasing role in the future.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this review, recent advances in 3D cell culture techniques and their application in tumor modeling and anti-cancer drug discovery programs are discussed. The topics include selection of cancer cells, 3D cell culture assays (associated endpoint measurements and analysis), 3D microfluidic systems and 3D bio-printing.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although advanced cancer cell culture models and techniques are becoming commonplace in many research groups, the use of these approaches has yet to be fully embraced in anti-cancer drug applications. Furthermore, limitations associated with analyzing information-rich biological data remain unaddressed.
authors.affiliation: a Discovery Biology, Eskitis Institute for Drug Discovery , Griffith University , Nathan , Australia.
authors.forename: Carrie J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Lovitt
authors.affiliation: a Discovery Biology, Eskitis Institute for Drug Discovery , Griffith University , Nathan , Australia.
authors.forename: Todd B
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Shelper
authors.affiliation: a Discovery Biology, Eskitis Institute for Drug Discovery , Griffith University , Nathan , Australia.
authors.forename: Vicky M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Avery
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D062028:Bioprinting; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D015195:Drug Design; D055808:Drug Discovery / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D046210:Microfluidic Analytical Techniques / Q000379:methods; D008954:Models, Biological; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D066330:Printing, Three-Dimensional
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents
keywords: 3D bio-printing; 3D cell culture; 3D microfluidics; cancer drug discovery; high-content imaging and analysis; tumor modeling