Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among women worldwide. The complexity and intricacies of the tumor microenvironment (TME) play a pivotal role in the progression and development of this disease. The TME is a diverse ecosystem consisting of cancer cells, various resident and infiltrating host cells, and the dynamic extracellular matrix (ECM). The ECM, which acts as a blueprint for tissue and organ development, undergoes significant alterations in a tumor setting, driven by the cancer cells.
This research project aims to pioneer the development of enzyme-responsive bioinks for creating advanced three-dimensional (3D) lab-grown breast cancer tumor models. By mimicking the native human tumor environment, these models will offer unparalleled insights into the role of the ECM and the TME in breast cancer’s development and progression. The ultimate goal is to produce models that allow for the cellular self-organization into complex tumor-like structures. Key objectives include the design of peptide-carbohydrate hybrid hydrogels that allow cellular self-organization, the development of gel-in-gel biofabrication techniques for creating micro-niches for tumor and stromal cells, and the biofabrication of multi-material TME models. These models will investigate the role of ECM properties on progression, angiogenesis, and metastasis. This research seeks to transform our understanding of breast cancer by developing innovative materials and techniques for modeling the disease in a laboratory setting. Such advancements hold the potential to reshape diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in the battle against breast cancer.
