Multicellular tumor spheroids (MTS) refers to three-dimensional cellular aggregates that have been widely used in cancer research to replicate the characteristics of solid tumors. These spheroids consist of multiple cancer cells, organized in a spherical shape due to their ability to self-assemble and self-organize. MTS formation occurs through the growth of tumor cells in a suspension or in a supportive matrix that allows for cell-cell interactions and spatial organization.
Forming MTS is a more physiologically relevant approach to study tumor behavior compared to traditional two-dimensional cell culture models. In MTS, cancer cells interact in a manner that mimics the in vivo tumor microenvironment, promoting the development of gradients of oxygen, nutrients, and signaling molecules essential for tumor growth. This closer resemblance to tumors in vivo allows researchers to study various characteristics, such as tumor heterogeneity, drug resistance, and invasion dynamics, which are challenging to replicate with traditional cell culture techniques.
The use of MTS in cancer research enables the investigation of multiple aspects of tumor behavior, including cell proliferation, migration, invasion, angiogenesis, response to therapeutics, and signaling pathways. The 3D nature of MTS permits the analysis of tumor architecture, cell-cell interactions, and the influence of the tumor microenvironment on tumor progression and therapeutic response.
Overall, multicellular tumor spheroids provide a valuable tool for studying the complex biology of solid tumors and testing potential anti-cancer therapeutics in a more representative and predictive model system.
