3D Co-Cultures: Choosing the Best Systems & Analysis for Immuno-Oncology

Increasing the complexity of in vitro cell cultures to better model the in vivo environment is a growing focus in drug discovery and mechanistic research. It is well established that cells cultured in three-dimensional (3D) structures respond differently to compounds compared to those grown in traditional two-dimensional (2D) monocultures. However, in vivo, cells do not grow in isolation. For example, cancer tissues contain regions with fibroblasts and various immune cells, all of which interact and can influence patient outcomes upon treatment.

In vitro, we can model aspects of this complexity by incorporating various cell types and assessing how they respond to treatments. There are various methods available for growing cells in 3D, each with its own advantages and disadvantages depending on the analytical methods used and the nature of cell interactions. 

This presentation will discuss the approaches currently employed at Concept Life Sciences, with a particular focus on how we assess different cell types within co-cultures. Emphasis will be placed on the inclusion of fibroblasts and immune cells, and how their interaction can influence outcomes.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the various methods available for setting up basic 3D cultures
• Explore the effects of combining multiple basic cell types
• Learn about different techniques for analyzing these cultures
• Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of key 3D culture methods