Biomimetic chitosan-based scaffold for 3D breast cancer cell culture: a promising tool for anticancer drug screening

Natural biodegradable polymers have been extensively studied as scaffolds for three-dimensional (3D) cancer cell culture in high-throughput screening (HTS) for anticancer drug discovery. This study fabricated a chitosan-based scaffold combined with pectin at different ratios: 10:90, 40:60, 60:40, and 90:10. Collagen I, the most abundant component of breast cancer extracellular matrix (ECM), was added to the scaffold formula. The composite scaffold displayed an interconnected, open-pore structure with tunable porosity, swelling, and degradable characteristics at different chitosan-to-pectin ratios. A high ratio of chitosan to pectin (60:40 and 90:10) exhibited the ideal properties for a 3D scaffold suitable for cell culture. These scaffolds supported the attachment and growth of the T47D breast cancer cell line. Additionally, this 3D cell culture demonstrated doxorubicin and tamoxifen resistance when compared to 2D culture. Therefore, it is a feasible and promising tool for more reliable anticancer drug screening.

Graphical abstract

Biomimetic scaffold supports 3D growth of breast cancer cells. This system mimics breast cancer tissue which grows on ECM networks, offering a personalized and better model for anticancer drug screening.