3D tumor cell culture for testing chemicals and treatments: a promising method for future in-vitro studies

Abstract

Multilayer or 3D cell culture systems have been used in research and biotechnology for several years, replicating solid tissues much better than a monolayer cell-cultures. Modulated electro-hyperthermia (mEHT) is a special treatment method of tumors, which utilises electromagnetic energy to interfere with neoplastic tissues. The source of heating is impedance coupled electromagnetic energy. The tumor selectivity of mEHT is due to increased metabolites resulting in a higher electric conductivity than in normal tissues. Our goal was to compare the effects of mEHT on 3D cell culture to the results gained from in-vivo experiments. We used Matrigel (a protein extract of Engelbreth–Holm–Swarm tumor), as an extracellular matrix scaffold for maintaining a colon carcinoma cell line, C26. We formed four treatment groups: HT group, heat treated by conventional hyperthermia; Noncont. mEHT group, mEHT treated using non-contact electrodes; Cont. mEHT group, mEHT treated using contact electrodes and a C group of untreated cells kept outside the incubator at 37oC. All groups consisted of 3 samples.