3D Breast Tumor Models for Radiobiology Applications

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Breast cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers worldwide and remains a leading cause of cancer-associated death in women. Radiation therapy is frequently used and plays a key role in the clinical treatment of breast cancers. A better understanding of the biological mechanisms that contribute to the response of cell and tissues to radiation therapy will allow for more targeted and personalized treatment plans in the future. This review investigates the use of three-dimensional (3D) models for the study of radiation therapy in the context of breast cancer to help inform future directions for the field. ABSTRACT: Breast cancer is a leading cause of cancer-associated death in women. The clinical management of breast cancers is normally carried out using a combination of chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy. The majority of research investigating breast cancer therapy until now has mainly utilized two-dimensional (2D) in vitro cultures or murine models of disease. However, there has been significant uptake of three-dimensional (3D) in vitro models by cancer researchers over the past decade, highlighting a complimentary model for studies of radiotherapy, especially in conjunction with chemotherapy. In this review, we underline the effects of radiation therapy on normal and malignant breast cells and tissues, and explore the emerging opportunities that pre-clinical 3D models offer in improving our understanding of this treatment modality.