A 3D fluid-dynamic tumor microenvironment-on-chip to model tumor-stroma-vascular interactions in esophageal adenocarcinoma

Tumor progression and therapeutic resistance in Esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) are orchestrated by a complex tumor microenvironment (TME) composed of malignant epithelial cells, stromal fibroblasts, endothelial cells, immune cells, and extracellular matrix, together shaping disease evolution and treatment response.

Currently available preclinical models of EAC are largely limited to 2D monocultures and simplistic xenografts, which insufficiently recapitulate the human TME and thus fail to predict clinical responses reliably.

To overcome the reductionist nature of conventional 2D cultures and better recapitulate this complexity, we established a 3D, fluid-dynamic EAC model on the MIVO® (multi-invitro organ) milli-fluidic platform, developed to support physiologically relevant perfusion of 3D tissues and more predictive pharmacological testing.

• • • • • Conference: MPS 2026, Washington
        • Authors: Radhika Dhekane^1,2, Elisabetta Palamà¹, Laura Cipolla¹, Maurizio Aiello^2,3, Silvia Scaglione^2,3