Spheroids In Cancer Research

Malignant growth of cells is often characterized by disorganization of tissue structure, abnormal blood vessel development, and insuffi cient vascular supply. As a consequence, the cancer cells grow in a three-dimensional pattern in atypical microenvironments which include physical, chemical, and nutritional stresses. Necrosis often develops some distance away from the blood vessels. In association with an inherent instability in malignant cell populations, and also because of the changing micromilieu, significant cellular heteroge neity emerges with regard to various phenotypic characteristics. Both biological behavior and responses to therapeutic agents can be affected. A variety of in vitro and in vivo experimental models exist for research on properties of cancer cells during growth. The multicell spheroid model was developed as a system of intermediate complexity in which three dimensional growth of cells enhances cell-cell interactions and creates micro environments that simulate the conditions in intervascular microregions of tumors or microme tastatic foci. Spheroids may change their cellular characteristics with changing environments during growth. These can be studied under controlled conditions in vitro. Interest in details of experimental methods for this model system stimulated the organization of the First International Conference in Rochester, NY in 1980, the Proceedings of which were summarized in Cancer Research in 1981. Since then there has been a rapid increase in the use of this model system, and increased research on the significance of cell-cell and cell-microenvironment interactions in biology in general.

Spheroid Culture in Cancer Research describes the various techniques now available for establishing spheroid tissue culture, including spheroid culture from normal tissues and from tumor cell lines. The book also describes how the spheroid system can be used to study interactions between normal and malignant cells. Microenvironmental conditions in spheroids and how this micromilieu may promote cellular heterogeneity and histiotypic structures not observed in corresponding monolayer cultures are discussed. The biological importance of oxygen tension, pH gradients, diffusions of nutrients, and cell-cell communication in spheroids are also examined. The book will be profoundly important to researchers in experimental chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, and hyperthermia.

Spheroid Culture in Cancer Research describes the various techniques now available for establishing spheroid tissue culture, including spheroid culture from normal tissues and from tumor cell lines. The book also describes how the spheroid system can be used to study interactions between normal and malignant cells. Microenvironmental conditions in spheroids and how this micromilieu may promote cellular heterogeneity and histiotypic structures not observed in corresponding monolayer cultures are discussed. The biological importance of oxygen tension, pH gradients, diffusions of nutrients, and cell-cell communication in spheroids are also examined. The book will be profoundly important to researchers in experimental chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, and hyperthermia.

As nanomaterials become increasingly present in our daily lives, pertinent questions regarding their safety arise. Nanomaterial risk assessment, as in other areas, directs much of the effort worldwide in defining guidelines that may be translated into national or international directives. Nanomaterials encompass different entities, from nanoparticles to nanostructured materials, with specific effects over cells, tissues, organisms and ecosystems depending on their biophysical characteristics. Such interactions will directly affect the impact of novel nanotechnologies. This book aims to provide the reader with a comprehensive overview of the current state of the art in nanotoxicology, featuring the most important developments and critical issues regarding the use of and exposure to nanoparticles.

Spheroid Culture in Cancer Research describes the various techniques now available for establishing spheroid tissue culture, including spheroid culture from normal tissues and from tumor cell lines. The book also describes how the spheroid system can be used to study interactions between normal and malignant cells. Microenvironmental conditions in spheroids and how this micromilieu may promote cellular heterogeneity and histiotypic structures not observed in corresponding monolayer cultures are discussed. The biological importance of oxygen tension, pH gradients, diffusions of nutrients, and cell-cell communication in spheroids are also examined. The book will be profoundly important to researchers in experimental chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, and hyperthermia.

This volume explores the latest collection of cell models that are used in preclinical cancer research, and covers both two-dimensional and three-dimensional culturing techniques. The chapters in this book are divided into two parts. Part One discusses two-dimensional cancer cell culture, cell models at the Air-Liquid Interface, and the latest advancements in three-dimensional complex spheroid models and dedicated disease animal models. Part Two contains technical chapters that illustrate step-by-step methodologies for specific cancer cell culture methods. The methods discussed range from the generation of isogenic cancer cell lines, the use of serum-free growth conditions, and three-dimensional cell cultures and their specific assays for the efficacy assessment of new anticancer therapies. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Cutting-edge and comprehensive, Cancer Cell Culture: Methods and Protocols is a valuable tool to help researchers involved in this important field to further improve or advance their models for cancer research.

This volume discusses recent research advances in cancer biology, focusing on the role of the tumor microenvironment. Taken alongside its companion volumes, Tumor Microenvironment: Recent Advances covers the latest research on various aspects of the tumor microenvironment, as well as future directions. Useful for introducing the newer generation of researchers to the history of how scientists studied the tumor microenvironment as well as how this knowledge is currently applied for cancer treatments, it will be essential reading for advanced cell biology and cancer biology students, as well as researchers seeking an update on research on the tumor microenvironment.

Leading experts summarize and synthesize the latest discoveries concerning the changes that occur in tumor cells as they develop resistance to anticancer drugs, and suggest new approaches to preventing and overcoming it. The authors review physiological resistance based upon tumor architecture, cellular resistance based on drug transport, epigenetic changes that neutralize or bypass drug cytotoxicity, and genetic changes that alter drug target molecules by decreasing or eliminating drug binding and efficacy. Highlights include new insights into resistance to antiangiogenic therapies, oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes in therapeutic resistance, cancer stem cells, and the development of more effective therapies. There are also new findings on tumor immune escape mechanisms, gene amplification in drug resistance, the molecular determinants of multidrug resistance, and resistance to taxanes and Herceptin.