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Review
. 2020 Mar 6;12(2):21-33.
doi: 10.1093/intbio/zyaa002.

Modeling chemical effects on breast cancer: the importance of the microenvironment in vitro

Molly M Morgan  1 , Linda A Schuler  2   3 , Jordan C Ciciliano  1 , Brian P Johnson  4 , Elaine T Alarid  3   5 , David J Beebe  1   4   3
Affiliations
Review

Modeling chemical effects on breast cancer: the importance of the microenvironment in vitro

Molly M Morgan et al. Integr Biol (Camb). .

Abstract

Accumulating evidence suggests that our ability to predict chemical effects on breast cancer is limited by a lack of physiologically relevant in vitro models; the typical in vitro breast cancer model consists of the cancer cell and excludes the mammary microenvironment. As the effects of the microenvironment on cancer cell behavior becomes more understood, researchers have called for the integration of the microenvironment into in vitro chemical testing systems. However, given the complexity of the microenvironment and the variety of platforms to choose from, identifying the essential parameters to include in a chemical testing platform is challenging. This review discusses the need for more complex in vitro breast cancer models and outlines different approaches used to model breast cancer in vitro. We provide examples of the microenvironment modulating breast cancer cell responses to chemicals and discuss strategies to help pinpoint what components should be included in a model.

Keywords: 3D; breast cancer; drugs; environmental chemicals; microenvironment.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The normal and cancerous mammary microenvironment. The transition from a normal to cancerous mammary gland is characterized by changes in both the epithelium and stroma. The ductal epithelium becomes hyperplastic, the myoepithelial layer is lost, and the basement membrane is degraded. The stromal cell types become activated, immune cells infiltrate to the area, and angiogenesis is increased.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The mammary gland interactome. Each component of the microenvironment communicates with the breast cancer cell, as well as with one another.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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