Synthetic 3D multicellular systems for drug development

Since the 1970s, the limitations of two dimensional (2D) cell culture and the relevance of appropriate three dimensional (3D) cell systems have become increasingly evident. Extensive effort has thus been made to move cells from a flat world to a 3D environment. While 3D cell culture technologies are meanwhile widely used in academia, 2D culture technologies are still entrenched in the (pharmaceutical) industry for most kind of cell-based efficacy and toxicology tests. However, 3D cell culture technologies will certainly become more applicable if biological relevance, reproducibility and high throughput can be assured at acceptable costs. Most recent innovations and developments clearly indicate that the transition from 2D to 3D cell culture for industrial purposes, for example, drug development is simply a question of time.

Graphical abstract3D cell and tissue culture for industrial applications has to be further developed by implementing important requirements (1–6) like automation, appropriate analytical methods, and quality-controlled biological relevance.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (391 K)Download as PowerPoint slideHighlights► State of the art of 3D cell culture in drug development. ► Overview of 3D cell culture systems. ► Bottlenecks of 3D cell culture for drug development. ► Formation of interdisciplinary research centres to industrialize 3D cell culture.