Modeling chemical effects on breast cancer: the importance of the microenvironment in vitro

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Abstract
Accumulating evidence suggests that our ability to predict chemical effects on breast cancer is limited by a lack of physiologically relevant in vitro models; the typical in vitro breast cancer model consists of the cancer cell and excludes the mammary microenvironment. As the effects of the microenvironment on cancer cell behavior becomes more understood, researchers have called for the integration of the microenvironment into in vitro chemical testing systems. However, given the complexity of the microenvironment and the variety of platforms to choose from, identifying the essential parameters to include in a chemical testing platform is challenging. This review discusses the need for more complex in vitro breast cancer models and outlines different approaches used to model breast cancer in vitro. We provide examples of the microenvironment modulating breast cancer cell responses to chemicals and discuss strategies to help pinpoint what components should be included in a model.
Funding Information
  • University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center (P30 CA014520)
  • Environmental Protection Agency (83573701)
  • NIH (R01 CA186134)
  • National Cancer Institute (T32 CA157322, K99ES028744)
  • National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (T32 ES007015-39)
  • University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center
  • McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research

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