3D-Autologous Culture Method for Precision Oncology.

The 3D-autologous culture method (3D-ACM) for patient-derived cancer samples utilizes a patient's own body fluid or serum to prepare a 3D scaffold and for the culture medium. 3D-ACM enables tumor cells and/or tissues from an individual patient to proliferate in vitro, in a microenvironment that is very similar to their original, in vivo surroundings. The purpose is to maximally preserve in culture the native biological properties of a tumor. This technique has been employed for two models: (1) cells isolated from malignant ascites or pleural effusions (body fluids) and (2) solid tissues from biopsies or surgically removed cancers. Here we describe the detailed procedures for these 3D-ACM models.