Figure 3.

Model systems for studying primary or metastatic cancers

Traditional models to study primary tumors and resected secondary metastatic cells include 2D cell monolayers and animal models, where cells are either implanted in vivo into an immunodeficient mouse or a transgenic mouse line is created with a known mutational defect. Bioengineered models include 3D multi-cellular tissue-engineered models, patient-derived organoids, organ-on-a-chip microfluidic devices, and recently, multi-organ-on-a-chip devices. We show here the overview of each approach and its advantages and limitations in studying cancer. Created with BioRender.com.