Ex Vivo Modeling of the Tumor Microenvironment to Develop Therapeutic Strategies for Gliomas

Abstract

Improving the prognosis for patients diagnosed with aggressive tumors remains a critical challenge in clinical oncology. One crucial aspect of addressing this challenge involves the development of preclinical models that can accurately predict the effectiveness of potential therapies for clinical application. A pivotal element in enhancing these models lies in their ability to accurately recapitulate the tumor microenvironment. In this review, the authors focus on investigating the tumor microenvironment in the context of ex vivo glioma modelling, with a specific emphasis on the extracellular matrix. The review discusses the changes that occur within the extracellular matrix of pediatric and adult gliomas. Furthermore, it explores the potential of advanced cellular models, particularly those employing bioprinting technologies, to replicate the extracellular matrix ex vivo.