Tumour cells initiate cancer and drive disease progression, however many other cell types surrounding the tumour, including stromal and immune cells promote carcinogenesis. Cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play a critical role in supporting tumour growth, shaping the cell microenvironment and promoting therapeutic resistance. Co-culture of tumour cells with fibroblasts has been shown to create a more organotypic tumour-like environment, enabling more physiologically relevant responses for therapeutic testing.

Formation of fibroblast-tumour spheroids

SK-OV-3/Fibroblast Spheroid Formation at 48-hours. SK-OV-3 NLR and CellTrace™ Blue-labelled NHDF cells were seeded into ultra low attachment 96-well plates and allowed to form spheroids over 72-hours. Images were acquired on the Opera Phenix High Content Screening System, 10x magnification. Images displayed above are from representative wells with indicated SKOV-3 and NHDF cell compositions.  

SK-OV-3/Fibroblast Spheroid killing following Cisplatin treatment

Time course of SK-OV-3/Fibroblast Spheroid killing following Cisplatin treatment. Spheroids were generated over 96-hours with a total of 5,000 cells per spheroid. Spheroids were treated with Cisplatin (100µM), vehicle or media control with varying percentages of SKOV-3 and NHDF cells (50-100% SKOV-3 cells) making up the spheroid. TKA was performed with a 1:1 ratio of PBMC: Spheroid. Images were acquired every 4-hours for 72-hours. Images were acquired on the Opera Phenix High Content Screening System, 10x magnification.