The Place of Three-Dimensional Cell Technologies in Urology and Urologic Oncology



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Abstract

Monolayer two-dimensional in vitro cell culture systems are unable to fully mimic the native tissue microenvironment, which limits their prognostic value. Three-dimensional (3D) culture systems overcome these limitations, ensuring the reproduction of intercellular interactions and tissue architecture characteristic of in vivo models. The most common 3D cell constructs are 3D spheroid models and organoids, the preservation of gene expression in which makes them valuable tools for preclinical research.

This work aimed to review the scientific publications on the generation and application of 3D cell cultures in urology and urologic oncology. Analysis of recent publications demonstrates a wide range of applications of these technologies. This review demonstrates that in urologic oncology, patient-derived bladder cancer organoids reproduce the molecular profile of tumors, allowing them to be used for testing chemotherapeutic drugs and assessing the cytotoxic activity of T cells. For prostate cancer, 3D cultures are used to evaluate the effectiveness of docetaxel in combination with sildenafil. Kidney cancer organoids reproduce the histological architecture of the original tissues, which facilitates drug screening. In regenerative medicine, 3D spheroid models of bladder smooth muscle cells demonstrate increased deposition of extracellular matrix proteins, which supports their potential for tissue engineering.

Thus, 3D cell technologies open up new opportunities for personalized therapy and the development of bioengineered constructs in urology and urologic oncology.

About the authors

Andranik G. Vardikian

Bashkir State Medical University

Author for correspondence.
Email: a@urologufa.ru
ORCID iD: 0009-0009-9735-780X
SPIN-code: 8928-0738

postgraduate student, Depart. of Urology and Oncology

Russian Federation, Ufa

Svetlana V. Piatnitskaia

Bashkir State Medical University; Institute of Fundamental Medicine, Bashkir State Medical University

Email: pyatnickaya27@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-4317-8146
SPIN-code: 5320-2030
ResearcherId: AAD-2502-2022

head, bioprinting lab., Assistant Professor, depart. of internal medicine

Russian Federation, Ufa; Ufa

Ildar M. Nasibullin

Bashkir State Medical University

Email: nim_76@mail.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0001-6578-8909
SPIN-code: 7691-5488

MD, Cand. Sci. (Medicine), Assistant Professor, Depart. of Topographic Anatomy and Operative Surgery

Russian Federation, Ufa

Aida I. Rakhmatullina

Institute of Urology and Clinical Oncology, Bashkir State Medical University

Email: aida.rakhmatullina4714@yandex.ru
ORCID iD: 0009-0009-8191-9951
SPIN-code: 2176-3709

Research assistant, stem cell lab.

Russian Federation, Ufa

Valentin N. Pavlov

Bashkir State Medical University

Email: pavlov@bashgmu.ru
ORCID iD: 0000-0003-2125-4897
SPIN-code: 2799-6268

MD, Dr. Sci. (Medicine), Professor, academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Depart. of Urology with a Course of Advanced Professional

Russian Federation, Ufa

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