MONTREAL, July 4, 2025
Bioprinted tumors offer hope for cancer drug development
Miniature tumor models could dramatically improve drug testing.
- TissueTinker is developing bioprinted tumor models for drug testing.
- These models aim to reduce the high failure rate of cancer drugs.
- The platform allows customization of tumor structure and cell composition.
- New FDA guidelines support the use of human-based models.
the use of bioprinting tumor models, pioneered by McGill University‘s TissueTinker, aims to create more human-relevant testing environments to improve the success rate of cancer drug development.
The quest for better cancer therapies
cancer claimed 10 million lives in 2020, and projections estimate over 28 million cases by 2040, according to McGill. The high failure rate of cancer drugs after preclinical testing-around 90%-highlights the urgent need for more predictive testing methods.
TissueTinker, a McGill University spinout co-founded by Benjamin Ringler, Madison Santos, and Isabelle Dummer, aims to address this challenge. The startup recently received a Develop award from the McGill Innovation Fund (MIF) to further its miniature tumor model platform.
Ringler explained that their models more readily simulate the human body, enabling researchers to “better assess and understand whether or not their drug works before reaching clinical trial stages,” which he says is “key for drug progression and curbing financial waste in the industry.”
Customizable miniature models
tissuetinker’s platform creates bioprinted tumor models at approximately 300 µm, balancing biological relevance with efficient resource use.
these models use bioink made from living cells, incorporating both healthy and cancerous tissue types with precise spatial arrangement. This design replicates crucial physiological characteristics,including hypoxic cores,which significantly affect tumor growth and treatment response.
The platform’s adaptability allows researchers to modify the structure and cellular makeup of each tumor model, targeting specific biological questions. This capability supports replicating various tumor conditions,yielding more focused insights into treatment behavior under diverse physiological scenarios.
Did you know? Hypoxic cores are areas within a tumor with low oxygen levels, contributing to resistance to radiation and chemotherapy.
FDA supports human-based models
Updated U.S. Food and Drug Governance (FDA) guidelines now permit drug developers to use human-based models rather of animal testing in preclinical research.
TissueTinker offers a method that more accurately mirrors the complexity of human tumors, presenting a practical option within this evolving regulatory habitat. This approach gains relevance as the industry shifts towards more human-relevant testing methods.
With MIF support,the TissueTinker team has enhanced the platform’s technical and strategic aspects. beyond funding, the program offered mentorship to refine the founders’ focus on long-term development. The company plans to expand its tumor model library and license the platform to pharmaceutical companies and research institutions.
prior efforts in bioprinted tumors
Other companies are also advancing cancer drug development through bioprinting. For example, Edinburgh-based tumor 3D printing specialist Carcinotech and bioprinting firm CELLINK partnered to create standardized protocols for bioprinted tumor models from cancer cell lines.
these models were designed to mirror the physiological structure of specific cancer types by incorporating five key cell types in precise ratios,aiming to enhance testing accuracy.
researchers at the University of Stuttgart and Robert Bosch Hospital developed a 3D printed tissue platform in 2021 to enhance cancer drug testing and reduce animal experiments.
As part of a €3.8 million initiative funded by the state of Baden-Württemberg, the team employed bioprinting and simulation data to produce skin-like microfluidic structures, more accurately replicating tumor behavior in the human body. Their strategy combined ex-vivo, de-novo, and in-silico methods, creating modular, nutrient-filled cell structures that can be assembled like “lego bricks” to simulate realistic tumors and better predict drug distribution outcomes.
Will bioprinted tumors revolutionize cancer treatment?
By offering a more accurate and customizable testing environment, TissueTinker’s bioprinted tumor models hold the potential to significantly improve the efficiency and success rate of cancer drug development, aligning with the FDA’s support for human-based models. This could lead to more effective treatments and reduced financial waste in the pharmaceutical industry.
researchers at the University of Stuttgart adn Robert Bosch Hospital developed a 3D printed tissue platform in 2021 to enhance cancer drug testing and reduce animal experiments.
As part of a €3.8 million initiative funded by the state of Baden-Württemberg, the team employed bioprinting and simulation data to produce skin-like microfluidic structures, more accurately replicating tumor behavior in the human body. Their strategy combined ex-vivo, de-novo, and in-silico methods, creating modular, nutrient-filled cell structures that can be assembled like “lego bricks” to simulate realistic tumors and better predict drug distribution outcomes.
Will bioprinted tumors revolutionize cancer treatment?
Bioprinted tumors could dramatically improve cancer drug advancement. By offering a more accurate and customizable testing habitat, tissuetinker’s bioprinted tumor models hold the potential to significantly improve the efficiency and success rate of cancer drug development, aligning with the FDA’s support for human-based models. This could lead to more effective treatments and reduced financial waste in the pharmaceutical industry.
The development of bioprinted tumors moves forward the paradigm of cancer research. The possibility to build and study tumors outside the body presents unprecedented opportunities. this offers a new level of control and precision in cancer research. Testing drugs on these models could boost the chances of success in clinical trials.
Key Benefits of Bioprinting in cancer Research
The adoption of bioprinting in cancer research provides several clear advantages:
- Improved Accuracy: Bioprinted models replicate the complexity of human tumors, providing more accurate results than traditional methods.
- Reduced Animal testing: These models offer an alternative to animal testing, aligning with the FDA’s shift towards human-relevant testing practices.
- Customization: Researchers can tailor models to mimic specific cancer types,subtypes,and drug targets.
- Cost Efficiency: By improving the success rate of drug development, bioprinting might greatly help in reducing costs.
- Accelerated Development: Bioprinting could speed up the drug development process,getting life-saving therapies to patients faster.
Practical tips for Researchers
Hear are some tips for researchers and institutions interested in exploring the use of bioprinted tumor models:
- collaborate: Team up with bioprinting experts and technology providers.
- Start Small: Launch pilot projects to grasp the technology and its capabilities.
- Design Carefully: Make sure to design yoru models to answer specific biological questions.
- Validate: Evaluate your bioprinted models against existing data and clinical results to guarantee that they work.
- Share: Publish findings and protocols to share insights and aid in the advancement of the field.
- Stay Updated: Stay informed about the latest advancements in bioprinting technologies and regulatory guidelines.
Case study: tissuetinker’s Impact in Action
TissueTinker serves as an example of how bioprinting can improve cancer research. The company’s approach of creating very exact,customizable tumor models lets researchers test and discover medicines far sooner in the development process. The funding and mentorship they have gotten from the MIF reveal the potential for this technology to become a standard for cancer treatment.
By leveraging the customization the company has in the models, scientists can recreate the microenvironment of a tumor, which will better predict how drugs will behave in humans.This makes clinical trials less risky and helps to save resources. As TissueTinker expands its model library and collaborates with a bigger audience, the impacts of bioprinting in cancer drug development will continue to become more prominent.
Myths vs. Facts
Addressing common misconceptions is a must when adopting any new developments
| Myth | Fact |
|---|---|
| Bioprinting is too complex and expensive to be practical. | While there is upfront investment, the long-term advantages, such as reduced failure rates in drug testing, can make it a cost-effective option. |
| Bioprinting is limited to creating only simple models. | Bioprinting allows researchers to create complex models that meet their exact goals and simulate tumor environments. |
| Bioprinting will replace other testing methods entirely. | Bioprinting complements existing methods by giving researchers better tools for in-depth investigation. |
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about bioprinting and its implications:
How do bioprinted tumor models enhance drug testing?
These models provide a more realistic setting that closely resembles human tumors, increasing the accuracy of drug testing. They offer insights into drug efficacy and behavior,thus allowing for faster and more effective clinical outcomes.
Are bioprinted tumor models suitable for all types of cancer?
Yes, sence scientists can personalize these models, they are suited for a range of cancers. This customization allows the investigation of a large number of scenarios.
What are the major challenges in implementing bioprinting?
Some challenges include the complexity of duplicating all components of a tumor, the expense of creating suitable infrastructure, and navigating complex regulations. However,research is moving forward rapidly in this field,and these problems are being solved by better tools and expertise.
How quickly are bioprinted models being implemented in drug development?
Bioprinting is growing in popularity. As new models are created, the scientific community is getting a greater understanding. This increases the speed at which drug development happens and helps research be better.
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- Bioprinted tumors offer hope for cancer drug development
