Chapter 14. 3D Tissue Model of Cancers

Abstract

From petri dish culture methods to 3D organoid generation, recent developments in modeling tissues in 3D have granted us the opportunity to explore more about cancer. In order to be part of a functional organism, individual cells require careful regulation of proliferation, differentiation, and survival. Cancer, however, does not require this regulation, therefore growing and dividing in uncontrolled manner that leads to malfunction within the body. Because of the chaotic characteristics of cancer, having a closely-mimicking cancer model is crucial. Even though many great discoveries have resulted from conventional culture methods of flask and petri dish, far greater and in vivo-like advancements have been achieved since the onset of 3D tissue modeling of cancer.