Geneva / Lausanne (awp / ats) – Scientists in Geneva have developed in vitro cancer models that integrate tumor components and elements of the patients’ immune system. This makes it possible to better test the effectiveness of the treatments.
In order to test cancer treatments, scientists usually use cultures of cancer cells, which however fail to represent the tumor in all its complexity, the University of Geneva (UNIGE) said in a statement on Wednesday.
This is why the team of Patrycja Nowak-Sliwinska, professor in the Pharmaceutical Sciences Section of UNIGE, has developed a spheroidal structure that mimics the microenvironment of the tumor.
“It is about creating a structure in 3D from the cells of the tumor, by also integrating the fibroblasts – cells which constitute the mass of the tumor -, and the endothelial cells, which allow the tumor to nourish itself. and to be vascularized “, explains the specialist, quoted in the press release.
This method, used since by the University Hospitals of Geneva (HUG), allows to get closer to the tumor present in the patient’s body. “However, an important factor was still missing: the cells of the immune system”, specifies the Geneva researcher.
Role of the immune system
Indeed, the immune system is the first fighter against tumors. And it reacts differently depending on the treatment prescribed to the sick person: it can either see its effectiveness increased or decreased.
The Geneva team, in collaboration with the universities of Lausanne and Amsterdam, succeeded in integrating two types of immune cells into its spheroidal structure: macrophages and T lymphocytes.
“This technological advance not only makes it possible to test the effects of a treatment on the tumor, but also on the immune system”, indicates Magdalena Rausch, researcher at UNIGE and first author of the study.
To do this, the scientists first take the tumor cells from the patient to recreate it in vitro in the form of a spheroidal structure, then they isolate the immune cells to inject them into the 3D structure.
Inexpensive and fast technique
“Once this step has been carried out, which takes 24 hours, we can test the different possible treatments against this cancer on our reproduction of the tumor and study which one will suit the sick person the best”, explains Patrycja Nowak-Sliwinska.
This relatively inexpensive and rapid technique would make it possible to offer personalized treatment for each sick person, while offering an effective alternative to certain animal model experiments.
“This platform opens up many possibilities for us to test drug combinations taking into account the different types of cancer, their mutations and the immune reactions specific to each person treated”, concludes Patrycja Nowak-Sliwinska. This work is published in the journal Cancers.
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