Issue 5, 2024

Recent advances in micro-physiological systems for investigating tumor metastasis and organotropism

Abstract

Tumor metastasis involves complex processes that traditional 2D cultures and animal models struggle to fully replicate. Metastatic tumors undergo a multitude of transformations, including genetic diversification, adaptation to diverse microenvironments, and modified drug responses, contributing significantly to cancer-related mortality. Micro-physiological systems (MPS) technology emerges as a promising approach to emulate the metastatic process by integrating critical biochemical, biomechanical, and geometrical cues at a microscale. These systems are particularly advantageous simulating metastasis organotropism, the phenomenon where tumors exhibit a preference for metastasizing to particular organs. Organotropism is influenced by various factors, such as tumor cell characteristics, unique organ microenvironments, and organ-specific vascular conditions, all of which can be effectively examined using MPS. This review surveys the recent developments in MPS research from the past five years, with a specific focus on their applications in replicating tumor metastasis and organotropism. Furthermore, we discuss the current limitations in MPS-based studies of organotropism and propose strategies for more accurately replicating and analyzing the intricate aspects of organ-specific metastasis, which is pivotal in the development of targeted therapeutic approaches against metastatic cancers.

Graphical abstract: Recent advances in micro-physiological systems for investigating tumor metastasis and organotropism

Article information

Article type
Critical Review
Submitted
03 dec 2023
Accepted
22 jan 2024
First published
23 jan 2024

Lab Chip, 2024,24, 1351-1366

Recent advances in micro-physiological systems for investigating tumor metastasis and organotropism

H. Yoon, J. Sabaté del Río, S. W. Cho and T. Park, Lab Chip, 2024, 24, 1351 DOI: 10.1039/D3LC01033C

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