Bioengineers at Rice University have developed a new 3D-printed platform that could significantly improve how researchers study metastasis, the process by which cancer spreads through the body. The innovation, known as the Advanced Tumor Landscape Analysis System (ATLAS), enables the scalable production of realistic cancer cell clusters, offering new opportunities to better understand one of the deadliest aspects of cancer.
Metastasis remains difficult to replicate in laboratory settings, largely due to the complexity of the tumor microenvironment and the dynamic conditions cancer cells encounter in the bloodstream. According to Michael King, who led the research, existing models often fall short in recreating these conditions accurately.
ATLAS addresses this challenge by using 3D-printed microwell arrays with superhydrophobic properties. These surfaces cause droplets containing cancer cells to bead up, encouraging cells to cluster naturally into three-dimensional structures that closely resemble those seen during metastasis.
Scalable and cost-efficient innovation
A key advantage of ATLAS is its scalability. By leveraging 3D printing to create nanoscale rough surfaces coated with non-wetting materials, the platform can be produced more quickly and at lower cost than previous methods. This makes it more accessible for broader adoption in research labs.
Lead author Alexandria Carter highlights that this is the first time such superhydrophobic effects have been achieved through 3D printing, marking an important step toward standardised, high-throughput cancer modelling.
New insights into cancer cell survival
Beyond its methodological innovation, ATLAS has already generated new biological insights. Using the platform, researchers created prostate cancer cell clusters, including those combined with cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs). These are support cells commonly found in the tumor microenvironment.
The findings show that cancer cells are more likely to survive in the bloodstream when traveling in clusters, particularly when accompanied by CAFs. These cells appear to play an active role in protecting cancer cells from stress and supporting their continued growth during metastasis.
Therapeutic development
These insights may open new avenues for therapeutic development. Targeting CAFs, for example, could potentially disrupt metastatic progression. At the same time, the research underscores the importance of realistic, high-throughput models in accelerating oncology research.
The ATLAS platform is currently being prepared for commercialisation through a startup initiative, reflecting a broader trend toward translating academic innovations into clinical and industrial applications.
As King notes, technologies like ATLAS not only improve research efficiency but also enable deeper understanding of complex disease processes. An essential step toward more effective, targeted cancer treatments.
