Center for Nuclear Sciences and Technologies, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 2695-066 Bobadela LRS, Portugal.
Department of Nuclear Sciences and Engineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 2695-066 Bobadela LRS, Portugal.
Int J Mol Sci. 2023 Jul 25;24(15):11915. doi: 10.3390/ijms241511915.
Despite being standard tools in research, the application of cellular and animal models in drug development is hindered by several limitations, such as limited translational significance, animal ethics, and inter-species physiological differences. In this regard, 3D cellular models can be presented as a step forward in biomedical research, allowing for mimicking tissue complexity more accurately than traditional 2D models, while also contributing to reducing the use of animal models. In cancer research, 3D models have the potential to replicate the tumor microenvironment, which is a key modulator of cancer cell behavior and drug response. These features make cancer 3D models prime tools for the preclinical study of anti-tumoral drugs, especially considering that there is still a need to develop effective anti-cancer drugs with high selectivity, minimal toxicity, and reduced side effects. Metallodrugs, especially transition-metal-based complexes, have been extensively studied for their therapeutic potential in cancer therapy due to their distinctive properties; however, despite the benefits of 3D models, their application in metallodrug testing is currently limited. Thus, this article reviews some of the most common types of 3D models in cancer research, as well as the application of 3D models in metallodrug preclinical studies.
尽管细胞和动物模型是研究中的标准工具，但它们在药物开发中的应用受到多种限制，例如转化意义有限、动物伦理和种间生理差异。在这方面，3D 细胞模型可以被视为生物医学研究的一个进步，能够比传统的 2D 模型更准确地模拟组织复杂性，同时也有助于减少动物模型的使用。在癌症研究中，3D 模型有潜力复制肿瘤微环境，这是癌细胞行为和药物反应的关键调节剂。这些特性使得癌症 3D 模型成为抗肿瘤药物临床前研究的重要工具，特别是考虑到仍然需要开发具有高选择性、最小毒性和减少副作用的有效抗癌药物。金属药物，特别是基于过渡金属的配合物，由于其独特的性质，在癌症治疗中的治疗潜力已经得到了广泛的研究；然而，尽管 3D 模型具有优势，但它们在金属药物测试中的应用目前受到限制。因此，本文综述了癌症研究中一些最常见的 3D 模型类型，以及 3D 模型在金属药物临床前研究中的应用。
