A Novel 3-Dimensional (3d) Micro-Fluidics Device To Model The Tumor Microenvironment (Tme)

704Background: In vitro models of cancer have led to significant therapeutic advances. Despite the widespread use of in vitro tissue culture, the ability to directly evaluate human biology is limited by the inability to model the complex, 3D nature of the TME. We introduce a novel, microfluidic-based system of 3D human micro-tumors perfused with a network of human micro-vessels which could overcome the shortcomings of current in vitro systems. Methods: The micro-device was created by casting polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) onto master molds, which are then bonded to a flat PDMS sheet using air plasma. Normal human lung fibroblasts (NHLF) and GFP labelled endothelial colony forming cell derived endothelial cells (EC-FCECs) were loaded in a fibrin gel at a 1:2 ratio into the central tissue chamber. Media was introduced through the microfluidic lines. The vascular network was developed with complete EGM2 media under nominal interstitial flow. Colorectal tumor cell lines labelled with mCherry were loaded to the s...