Predicting and measuring glucose and lactate metabolism of cancer spheroids in hanging-drop networks

Abstract

3D cell cultures from well-established cell lines and ex vivo tissues are increasingly popular biological models. Combining the hanging-drop technology with enzyme-based biosensors enables live-monitoring of microtissue glucose consumption and lactate production. We developed a numerical model that accurately predicts cancer microtissue glucose uptake and lactate secretion. In this work, the faithful reproduction of nutrient dynamics in the presence of metabolically active HCT-116 spheroids demonstrates the model’s predictive capabilities. Ultimately, this project aims at quantifying the metabolic activity of meaningful – yet poorly characterized – tissue types in order to define optimal culturing conditions that ensure microtissue viability and that better mimic the physiological microenvironment.