Establishment of a 3D Model to Characterize the Radioresponse of Patient-Derived Glioblastoma Cells

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Glioblastoma multiforme is an aggressive brain tumor with a poor survival rate despite modern therapeutic options. In this context, advanced preclinical models and the development of new treatments are urgent. Three-dimensional cultures offer new possibilities for understanding the tumor’s biology. They mimic the tumor microenvironment and its complexity, thus reflecting the patients’ neoplasm more closely. We developed a 3D model to analyze the radiation sensitivity in patient-derived glioblastoma cells. ABSTRACT: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common malignant primary brain tumor in adults. Despite modern, multimodal therapeutic options of surgery, chemotherapy, tumor-treating fields (TTF), and radiotherapy, the 5-year survival is below 10%. In order to develop new therapies, better preclinical models are needed that mimic the complexity of a tumor. In this work, we established a novel three-dimensional (3D) model for patient-derived GBM cell lines. To analyze the volume and growth pattern of primary GBM cells in 3D culture, a CoSeedis(TM) culture system was used, and radiation sensitivity in comparison to conventional 2D colony formation assay (CFA) was analyzed. Both culture systems revealed a dose-dependent reduction in survival, but the high variance in colony size and shape prevented reliable evaluation of the 2D cultures. In contrast, the size of 3D spheroids could be measured accurately. Immunostaining of spheroids grown in the 3D culture system showed an increase in the DNA double-strand-break marker γH2AX one hour after irradiation. After 24 h, a decrease in DNA damage was observed, indicating active repair mechanisms. In summary, this new translational 3D model may better reflect the tumor complexity and be useful for analyzing the growth, radiosensitivity, and DNA repair of patient-derived GBM cells.