Development and characterisation of suitably bioengineered microfibrillar matrix-based 3D prostate cancer model for in vitro drug testing

Bioengineered 3D models that can mimic patient-specific pathologies in vitro are valuable tools for developing and validating anticancer therapeutics. In this study, microfibrillar matrices with unique structural and functional properties were fabricated as 3D spherical and disc-shaped scaffolds with highly interconnected pores and the potential of the newly developed scaffolds for developing prostate cancer model has been investigated. The newly developed scaffolds showed improved cell retention upon seeding with cancer cells compared to conventional electrospun scaffolds. They facilitated rapid growth and deposition of cancer-specific extracellular matrix through-the-thickness of the scaffold. Compared to the prostate cancer cells grown in 2D culture, the newly developed prostate cancer model showed increased resistance to the chemodrug Docetaxel regardless of the drug concentration or the treatment frequency. A significant reduction in the cell number was observed within one week after the drug treatment in the 2D culture for both PC3 and patient-derived cells. Interestingly, almost 20%–30% of the cancer cells in the newly developed 3D model survived the drug treatment, and the patient-derived cells were more resistant than the tested cell line PC3. The results from this study indicate the potential of the newly developed prostate cancer model for in vitro drug testing.