(210e) Analysis Of CELL Proliferation Within A 3D Tissue-Engineered Cancer MODEL

Breast cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer throughout the world. Researchers are attempting to develop an artificial platform for growing cancer cells outside the human body for the study of the disease. The current study aims to create an in vitro environment that accurately mimics tumorigenic behavior. To accomplish this, human breast cancer MCF7 cells were encapsulated in polymer hydrogel microspheres composed of poly(ethylene glycol) and fibrinogen (PEG-Fb) using an oil-in-water emulsion technique and maintained in culture long-term. The microspheres were analyzed for size changes using ImageJ. SEM imaging was conducted on the microspheres to visualize the distribution of cells within the polymer matrix. Additionally, the MCF7 cells were stained with Hoechst 33342 dye after enzymatic-dissociation of the hydrogel microspheres for measurement of cell proliferation using the total DNA assay. The results obtained from the analysis indicated that total DNA content increased and the cells proliferated within the polymer hydrogel system over time. Thus, an artificial 3D platform for long-term culturing of cancer cells has been established. Further biochemical assays on the developed system are necessary to make it more closely mimic native breast cancer conditions so that cancer therapies may be reliably studied in vitro.