Advancing extracellular vesicle (EV)-based innovations for oncology is often hindered by the limitations of conventional cell cultures in replicating the complex tumour microenvironment, and by the restricted observability of in vivo models. While organotypic cultures have improved the tissue similarity, their inherent variability still constrains reproducible testing of EV uptake, biodistribution, and therapeutic efficacy.
We have been addressing these limitations through the use of tissue-matched synthetic hydrogel cultures generated by an automated bioprinting platform. Bioprinting hydrogel-based tumoroid cultures from patient cells has enabled the consistent fabrication of biologically relevant tissue models that recapitulate key tumour architectures. By incorporating multiple cell types within these hydrogels, we can produce co-cultures that mimic diverse tumour microenvironments—ranging from dense tumour cores to stromal interfaces and adjacent healthy tissues.
These complex in vitro models allow direct monitoring of treatment uptake dynamics over time and evaluation of how cargo delivery impacts specific cell populations within a physiologically relevant context. Advanced 3D models generated with the RASTRUM bioprinting platform therefore provide a powerful, reproducible tool for assessing nanoparticle and EV targeting, penetration, cellular uptake, and release kinetics in a tumour-relevant setting.