Recent Progress in 3D Cellular Models of the Tumor Microenvironment
A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Oncology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2026 | Viewed by 10
Special Issue Editor
Interests: organ-on-a-chip; cancer immunotherapy; microfluidics; 3D model system for drug delivery; cell mechanics; traction force; optical tweezers
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Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
We invite you to submit original research articles, reviews, and perspectives that explore recent progress in 3D cellular models of the tumor microenvironment.
The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a complex, dynamic ecosystem comprising tumor cells, stromal cells, the extracellular matrix, and various signaling molecules. Understanding these intricate interactions is a critical frontier in oncology, as they profoundly influence tumor progression, metastasis, and therapeutic response. While traditional 2D cell cultures and animal models have been foundational, they often fail to recapitulate the physiological relevance and complexity of the TME.
To bridge this gap, advanced 3D cellular models have emerged as powerful tools, offering a more predictive and realistic platform for cancer research. This Special Issue aims to showcase the latest advancements in this rapidly evolving field, highlighting how interdisciplinary approaches are driving breakthroughs in cancer immunotherapy, drug delivery, and fundamental cell biology.
We invite researchers to submit research articles with a focus on the following key areas:
- Organ-on-a-Chip and Microfluidics: We are particularly interested in novel organ-on-a-chip and microfluidic platforms, micro physiological systems that accurately mimic the TME's mechanical and biochemical cues, such as fluid flow, oxygen gradients, and cell–cell interactions, tumor heterogeneity. Submissions that integrate multiple cell types and replicate specific organ-level functions are highly encouraged.
- Cancer Immunotherapy: This includes the development of 3D models that enable the study of immune cell infiltration, tumor–immune cell interactions, and the efficacy of immunotherapies (e.g., CAR-T cells, checkpoint inhibitors) in a physiologically relevant context.
- 3D Model Systems and biomaterials: We seek papers that use 3D cellular models using variety of biomaterials to evaluate the effectiveness of drug delivery systems, assess drug penetration and efficacy, and facilitate high-throughput screening for precision medicine. This includes but not limited to hydrogels, scaffolds, organoid, spheroid model systems used for tumor modeling.
- Cell Mechanics and Mechanotransduction: This topic covers the role of physical forces and the extracellular matrix in tumor biology. Submissions could explore how mechanics influences tumor growth, or recapitulating tumor heterogeneity, how cells exert traction forces, or the molecular mechanisms of mechanotransduction in the TME, signaling pathways or molecular players that altered during tumor growth.
By bringing together cutting-edge research from these diverse areas, this Special Issue will provide a comprehensive overview of the state-of-the-art in 3D cellular models and accelerate the translation of new discoveries into clinical practice. We look forward to your contributions.
Dr. Kalpana Mandal
Guest Editor
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- 3D tumor models
- immunotherapy
- organ-on-a-chip
- cell mechanics and mechanotransduction
- drug delievery
- tumor heterogenity
- organoids/spheroids
- biomaterials
- hydrogels/scaffolds
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