Spheroids in cancer research: recent advances and opportunities

In recent years, three-dimensional (3D) spheroid technology has emerged as a crucial instrument in the realm of cancer research, offering a near-physiological model for probing human cancers. By faithfully replicating organ architecture and functionality, spheroids furnish a versatile platform for addressing a spectrum of clinical and biomedical inquiries, encompassing pharmacology and disease pathophysiology. Their distinct advantage over conventional two-dimensional (2D) cell cultures lies in their capacity to emulate the 3D extracellular microenvironment and attributes characteristic of solid tumors, including architectural intricacies, gene expression profiles, and secretion of soluble mediators. Derived effectively from both normal and malignant patient tissues, spheroids facilitate the modeling of cancer progression, mutation dynamics, and carcinogenesis pathways. Moreover, spheroid technology expedites drug screening processes and personalized therapeutic interventions. Although challenges persist in accurately recapitulating the immune system within spheroid models, the co-culturing of spheroids with lymphocytes holds significant promise for immunotherapy applications. This comprehensive examination outlines diverse methodologies for establishing and characterizing spheroids, highlighting their extensive utilization in oncology. The manuscript underscores the immense promise of 3D spheroids in cancer research, paving the way for an uprising in the understanding and management of cancer, with abundant opportunities for further investigation and progress in treatment approaches.