10/06/2026
Glioblastoma research is limited by extreme differences from patient to patient. These differences make these tumors difficult to model in vitro, impeding the development of effective therapies. Traditional 2D cell cultures cannot capture the complex tumor microenvironment, while generic 3D models introduce variables that limit their clinical relevance.
To solve this issue, researchers at Wake Forest School of Medicine have developed a custom hyaluronic acid and gelatin-based hydrogel that closely mimics the brain's extracellular matrix. By embedding cells from several patient samples, they created patient-derived tumor constructs (PTCs). Using a BIO X bioprinter as proof of concept, the team automated the precise dispensing of cell-loaded ~10 μL droplets into 48-well plates, showing the potential for rapid, high-throughput fabrication of patient-specific tumor models.
These patient-derived tumor constructs exhibited high cell viability and maintained the genomic and molecular fidelity of the original tumors. RNA sequencing confirmed that the 3D models preserved critical molecular subtypes, avoiding the artificial shifts seen in conventional 2D cultures. Drug response testing showed stable, patient-specific outcomes that match with clinical expectations across glioma grades.
This study highlights the value of patient-derived tumor constructs as a superior method for patient-specific oncology, offering reliable translational data without the significant genetic drift seen in 2D cell culture.
Congratulations to the research team on this excellent contribution to precision medicine and cancer research!
Read the full publication here: https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0w2bBh0.
