In advanced stages, many tumors settle primarily in the bones (prostate, breast carcinoma). This results in the need to develop innovative treatment concepts that prevent tumor spread to the bone. Currently, animal models (primarily mouse/rat) are still used as the experimental tool of choice, although their physiology and anatomy do not match that of humans.

Especially the processes of bone metastasis cannot be adequately represented, since in the established mouse models the tumor cells do not settle in the bone. Animals are thus unnecessarily sacrificed for experiments and there is no immediate benefit for diseased individuals.

We support the development of an ex vivo 3D bone matrix that will allow clinically relevant studies of the process of tumor metastasis, drug mechanisms of action, and (patient-specific) therapy response based on tumor cells isolated from patient tissue. The 3D model is expected to replace the animal models used in large numbers and to be established as an important standard procedure for clinical, experimental and pharmacological studies.