Researchers have routinely relied upon 2D cell culture and animal models to study the mechanisms underlying human diseases,such as cancer. These models have led to major discoveries and improved understanding of many of these diseases, but they have their limitations. A two-dimensional cell culture model cannot precisely capture complex in vivo tumor behavior.
With the advent of 3D cell culture applications and 3D bioprinting, cancer research is changing. Now, complex aspects of cancer like metastasis can be modeled and studied, and the efficacy and toxicity of drugs can be tested more realistically and rapidly. Cells grown in 3D conditions more accurately mimic in vivo cellular responses, according to a recent study in Annals of Biomedical Engineering.