An Improved Three-dimensional Cell Culture Model of Human Breast Cancer as Well as Drug Sensitivity Investigation

Objective:To establish a three-dimensional(3D) culture model of human breast cancer cell line MCF-7 for high throughout screening of anticancer agents and to investigate its drug sensitivity. Methods:Based on the conventional liquid overlay method and mixing method,the improved anchor method was established for the preparation of a new 3D culture system of MCF-7 cell line. Using a 2D culture system and a 3D culture system prepared by mixing method as control,the morphological characteristics of MCF-7 cells in the new 3D culture system were observed under inverted microscope,the cell growth curve was plotted and the drug sensitivity test was conducted with DDP by MTT method. Results:The new 3D culture system of MCF-7 cell line was successfully established by the improved anchor method. The typical grape-like multicellular spheroids(~160μm) were observed in the new 3D system rather than in the 2D culture system. The cell growth rate in the new 3D culture system was significantly faster than that in the conventional 3D culture system prepared by mixing method(P0.05). The cell proliferation inhibition ratio by DDP in the new 3D system was significantly lowered compared with that in the 2D culture system(P0.01). Conclusion:The new 3D cell culture system of human breast cancer prepared by the improved anchor method is close to in vivo tumor growth environment,in which the tumor cells could mimic the drug-resistant characteristics of in vivo solid tumor. Therefore the new 3D cell culture system is more practicable for the activity screening of anticancer candidates than the conventional ones.