ReviewKeynoteDesigning a bio-inspired biomimetic in vitro system for the optimization of ex vivo studies of pancreatic cancer

•A novel in vitro platform for pancreatic cancer drug discovery is suggested.•Design parameters for a pancreatic tumour-like construct are evaluated.•Biomarkers for in situ control of stress in 3D in vitro systems are highlighted.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressive and lethal human malignancies. Drug therapies and radiotherapy are used for treatment as adjuvants to surgery, but outcomes remain disappointing. Advances in tissue engineering suggest that 3D cultures can reflect the in vivo tumor microenvironment and can guarantee a physiological distribution of oxygen, nutrients, and drugs, making them promising low-cost tools for therapy development. Here, we review crucial structural and environmental elements that should be considered for an accurate design of an ex vivo platform for studies of pancreatic cancer. Furthermore, we propose environmental stress response biomarkers as platform readouts for the efficient control and further prediction of the pancreatic cancer response to the environmental and treatment input.