Spherical Cancer Models in Tumor Biology

Three-dimensional (3D) in vitro models have been used in cancer research as an intermediate model between in vitro cancer cell line cultures and in vivo tumor. Spherical cancer models represent major 3D in vitro models that have been described over the past 4 decades. These models have gained popularity in cancer stem cell research using tumorospheres. Thus, it is crucial to define and clarify the different spherical cancer models thus far described. Here, we focus on in vitro multicellular spheres used in cancer research. All these spherelike structures are characterized by their well-rounded shape, the presence of cancer cells, and their capacity to be maintained as free-floating cultures. We propose a…

• IN
  Institut National Du Cancer
• CI
  Cancéropôle Ile de France
• GD
  Groupement des Entreprises Françaises dans la lutte contre le Cancer
• CI
  Canadian Institutes of Health Research