title: Bioengineered 3D Scaffolds in Cancer Research: Focus on Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition and Drug Screening.
abstract: The living environment of cancer cells is complicated and information-rich. Thus, traditional 2D culture mold in vitro cannot mimic the microenvironment of cancer cells exactly. Currently, bioengineered 3D scaffolds have been developed which can better simulate the microenvironment of tumors and fill the gap between 2D culture and clinical application.
  
  
  
  In this review, we discuss the scaffold materials used for fabrication techniques, biological behaviors of cancer cells in 3D scaffolds and the scaffold-based drug screening. A major emphasis is placed on the description of scaffold-based epithelial to mesenchymal transition and drug screening in 3D culture. By overcoming the defects of traditional 2D culture, 3D scaffolds culture can provide a simpler, safer and more reliable approach for cancer research.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, College of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China.
authors.forename: Xiaoli
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Biorheological Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, Faculty of Bioengineering, Chongqing University, P.O.Box: 400044, Chongqing, China.
authors.forename: LiLing
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tang
mesh_terms: D057005:Bioengineering; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D058750:Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds; D059016:Tumor Microenvironment / Q000187:drug effects
keywords: 3D scaffolds; Cancer cell; EMT; biological behavior; drug screening; microenvironment