A Universal Gelfoam 3-D Histoculture Method to Establish Patient-derived Cancer Cells (3D-PDCC) Without Fibroblasts from Patient-derived Xenografts.

Background/aim The direct placement of patient tumors in 2-D culture on plastic or glass surfaces has inhibited the establishment of patient-derived cancer cells (PDCCs). The aim of the present study was to develop universal and efficient methods to prepare PDCCs. Materials and methods Fragments of patient-derived xenograft (PDX) tumors established form colon cancer liver metastasis (1 mm3) were placed on Gelfoam and cultured in DMEM. Results PDX tumor fragments were cultured on Gelfoam. Cancer cells migrated from the explant and formed distinct 3-D structures in the Gelfoam. Each of the three PDCCs showed a distinct morphology. The cultures were essentially all cancer cells without fibroblasts, the opposite of what usually occurs in 2-D culture on plastic or glass. Gelfoam cultures could be readily passaged from one Gelfoam cube to anothers suggesting indefinite culture potential. Conclusion A potentially universal method to establish PDCC using PDX tumors and 3-D Gelfoam histoculture was developed.