Biology reconstructed: Tumor-specific 3D cell culture models for accurate testing of anticancer agents
The high rates of failure of new anticancer drugs in clinical trials highlight that the standard cell culture models used in drug development today do not faithfully reproduce human biology, and thus, do not accurately represent disease processes. In this webinar, Dr. Julia Kirshner, Founder & CEO of zPREDICTA, will discuss the advantages of a 3D culture approach over the traditional methods, with particular emphasis on the importance of the tumor microenvironment and tissue-relevant extracellular matrix (ECM) in obtaining accurate drug response data.
Here, Kirshner will demonstrate how the tumor-specific microenvironment, including cellular and extracellular elements such as ECM and stroma, affects response to treatment. Kirshner will also show examples of the current use of tumor-specific 3D culture models for efficacy screening of anticancer compounds, including immuno-oncology agents, evaluation of mechanisms of drug resistance, rescue of failed drug candidates, assessment of off-target toxicity, and multiple other applications enabling accurate evaluation of therapeutic agents throughout the drug development pipeline.
Learning objectives
- Learn about the fundamental differences between conventional 2D and 3D cell culture approaches and the pros and cons of using them for drug development.
- Understand how the tumor-specific microenvironment guides response to treatment.
- Learn how the tumor microenvironment affects drug response and why it is crucial to incorporate it into pre-clinical models.
- Discover how tissue-specific 3D culture platforms can be used throughout the drug development workflow.
Certificate of attendance
All webinar participants can request a certificate of attendance, including a learning outcomes summary for continuing education purposes.