Epigenetic modulation of cancer stem cells in vitro 3D models

Cancer is a multifaceted disease responsible for the deaths of over 10 million people per year worldwide. Extensive scientific research indicates bulk tumors have the tendency to appear from a particular subgroup of cells, specified as “cancer stem cells” (CSCs), responsible for the beginning and the revival of cancer. Epigenetic mechanisms have developed as integral components of cancer development, altering cellular states throughout various stages of the disease. Epigenetic mechanisms have been shown to be significant in the origin and development of brain tumors as well as in inducing CSC reprogramming and preserving cellular characteristics. Epigenetic regulators are among the most commonly mutated genes in cancer. During the advent of cancer development, mutated epigenetic regulators gave rise to cancerous cellular reprogramming. It has been found that enhanced cellular plasticity favors cancer cell adaptability as well as resistance to therapy. Modern research has concentrated on revealing a means capable of targeting CSCs by taking their cellular complexity into account. To investigate the mechanisms involved in cancer initiation, the re-creation of the tumor microenvironment is critical in cancer research. Two-dimensional cell culture and animal models have been affirmed as credible in describing cellular behavior as well as delineating hypotheses about potential mechanisms. However, a well-defined three-dimensional (3D) cell culture model effectively mimics tumor-microenvironment by permitting cell-to-cell, and cell-to-matrix reactions to take place, which in turn has generated interest for a wide variety of applications. 3D structures permit cells to reveal more adequate tissue structure, physiology, and anatomy, along with highlighting varying profiles with respect to cell migration, morphology, proliferation, and viability.