Metabolic Activity and Cell Proliferation evaluation of coordination compounds in 3D Bioprinted Ovarian Tumor Model

• Grant number: 23/14800-0
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Duration: February 01, 2024 - January 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Inorganic Chemistry
• Mobility Program: SPRINT - Projetos de pesquisa - Mobilidade
• Principal Investigator: Fillipe Vieira Rocha
• Grantee: Fillipe Vieira Rocha
• Principal researcher abroad: Alem
• Institution abroad: Université de Lorraine (UL), France
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Exatas e de Tecnologia (CCET). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 22/02876-0 - Evaluation of the biological profile of coordination complexes: an approach in 2D and 3D cell models, AP.R

Abstract

In vitro cell cultures are fundamental techniques in developing new drug candidates1. Traditional cell culture methods use a two-dimensional (2D) monolayer. Today, this method has become standard technology in the life sciences, making continuous improvements. However, due to the inherent flaws of traditional 2D culture, this methodology cannot correctly mimic the architecture and microenvironments of the human organism2-4. This limitation makes 2D cultured cells different from cells that grow in vivo in terms of morphology, proliferation, cellular and matrix interactions, and differentiation, among other aspects. As a result of these conditions, about 95% of new anticancer candidates fail clinical trials despite robust indications of activity in preclinical in vitro models. Thus, the continuous development of tumor cell culture techniques is vital. In this context, 3D culture models (spheroids, organoids, and 3D bioprinted) bring a new perspective to understanding the in vitro biological profile5. In addition, both generate physiologically relevant results since these models can simulate the main features of an in vivo environment, including cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions. All these techniques can reproduce human tumor nutrient and oxygen gradients, especially in the tumor microenvironment. This main influencing feature needs to be modeled to understand the interactions between nanomedicines and tumors better. However, spheroids and organoid structures have difficulty controlling size and architecture6. Further, organoids are designed to mimetic phenotypic and genotypic features of the original tumors7-9. Hence, it is essential to use growth factors making organoid culture costly. 3D bioprinting is an exciting tool for building 3D cancer models10 -12. This technique allows structures with a complex, customizable, and reproducible architecture. Also, to better mimetic the cellular microenvironment, this methodology permits the inclusion of different cell types within a single bioink. Thus, this proposal aims to use a 3D bioprinting ovarian model to investigate the metabolic and viability of the cells after incubation with different coordination compounds. (AU)