Photo by Ben Skála
By growing human tumors on chicken embryos, scientists have created a new model system for screening drugs to treat multiple myeloma (MM).
Several MM drug candidates have shown promising activity in this system, according to the researchers.
Gerold Untergasser, PhD, of Innsbruck Medical University in Austria, and his colleagues described how they developed the system in the Journal of Visualized Experiments.
First, the researchers prepared cultures of the MM cell lines OPM2 and RPMI 8226, as well as human mesenchymal stem cells. They then transfected MM cells with enhanced green fluorescent protein, making the cells easy to observe through a fluorescence microscope.
Next, the team cultured MM cells with mesenchymal cells and collagen to create 3-dimensional cell spheres, thereby simulating the natural microenvironment of the tumor.
The researchers then transferred their cell spheres to the outer membrane of chicken embryos. This choriallantoid membrane provides a suitable base for growing miniature human tumors in culture.
The team has introduced anti-myeloma drugs, such as bortezomib, into this system and assessed the drugs’ ability to target MM cells and prevent tumor growth and angiogenesis. They were also able to evaluate toxicity.
“The chicken egg is much easier to handle and cheaper than mice, and it reduces the number of animal experiments,” Dr Untergasser said. “In our new video publication, we give detailed information on how our system works.”
“We provide an easy-to-repeat protocol for broad use within the research community. Our vision for the future is that a separate test is performed for each patient to determine which drug is best suitable.”
