title: Three-dimensional cell culture model utilization in cancer stem cell research.
abstract: Three-dimensional (3D) cell culture models are becoming increasingly popular in contemporary cancer research and drug resistance studies. Recently, scientists have begun incorporating cancer stem cells (CSCs) into 3D models and modifying culture components in order to mimic in vivo conditions better. Currently, the global cell culture market is primarily focused on either 3D cancer cell cultures or stem cell cultures, with less focus on CSCs. This is evident in the low product availability officially indicated for 3D CSC model research. This review discusses the currently available commercial products for CSC 3D culture model research. Additionally, we discuss different culture media and components that result in higher levels of stem cell subpopulations while better recreating the tumor microenvironment. In summary, although progress has been made applying 3D technology to CSC research, this technology could be further utilized and a greater number of 3D kits dedicated specifically to CSCs should be implemented.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology with Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Military Institute of Medicine, Szaserów 128, 04-141, Warsaw, Poland.|Postgraduate School of Molecular Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, Zwirki i Wigury 61, 02-109, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Zofia F
authors.initials: ZF
authors.lastname: Bielecka
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology with Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Military Institute of Medicine, Szaserów 128, 04-141, Warsaw, Poland.|Laboratory of DNA Sequencing and Oligonucleotides Synthesis, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawinskiego 5a, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Kamila
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Maliszewska-Olejniczak
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Ilan J
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: Safir
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology with Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Military Institute of Medicine, Szaserów 128, 04-141, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Cezary
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Szczylik
authors.affiliation: Department of Oncology with Laboratory of Molecular Oncology, Military Institute of Medicine, Szaserów 128, 04-141, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Anna M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Czarnecka
mesh_terms: D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D014411:Neoplastic Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D057905:Stem Cell Research
keywords: biomimic cultures; cancer niche; cancer stem cells (CSCs); three-dimensional systems; tumor microenvironment