Simulation of complex transport of nanoparticles around a tumor using tumor-microenvironment-on-chip

Bongseop Kwak, Altug Ozcelikkale, Crystal S. Shin, Kinam Park, Bumsoo Han

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Delivery of therapeutic agents selectively to tumor tissue, which is referred as "targeted delivery," is one of the most ardently pursued goals of cancer therapy. Recent advances in nanotechnology enable numerous types of nanoparticles (NPs) whose properties can be designed for targeted delivery to tumors. In spite of promising early results, the delivery and therapeutic efficacy of the majority of NPs are still quite limited. This is mainly attributed to the limitation of currently available tumor models to test these NPs and systematically study the effects of complex transport and pathophysiological barriers around the tumors. In this study, thus, we developed a new in vitro tumor model to recapitulate the tumor microenvironment determining the transport around tumors. This model, named tumor-microenvironment-on-chip (T-MOC), consists of 3-dimensional microfluidic channels where tumor cells and endothelial cells are cultured within extracellular matrix under perfusion of interstitial fluid. Using this T-MOC platform, the transport of NPs and its variation due to tumor microenvironmental parameters have been studied including cut-off pore size, interstitial fluid pressure, and tumor tissue microstructure. The results suggest that T-MOC is capable of simulating the complex transport around the tumor, and providing detailed information about NP transport behavior. This finding confirms that NPs should be designed considering their dynamic interactions with tumor microenvironment.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)157-167
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of Controlled Release
Volume194
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 28 2014
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Cancer
  • Microfluidics
  • Nanoparticle transport
  • Tumor microenvironment

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pharmaceutical Science

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Simulation of complex transport of nanoparticles around a tumor using tumor-microenvironment-on-chip'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this