Routine Assessment of Cancer Cell Cytotoxicity in a Novel Three Dimensional Culture Assay

3D in vitro models are becoming a popular alternative to bridge and reduce the gap between 2D culture assays and animal models. Such 3D systems represent a more realistic approach enabling cells to retain their native 3D morphology, form interactions with adjacent cells and create more complex structures. In this application note, the growth of the popular breast cancer cell line, MCF-7, using Alvetex®Scaffold technology is demonstrated. The viability of these cells is compared with equivalent cultures grown on conventional 2D plastic-ware. The data show that MCF-7 cells cultured on Alvetex®Scaffold possess a different sensitivity pattern to certain cytotoxic drugs than their 2D counterparts that is more likely to resemble in vivo responses.