Advanced 3D cancer models for analyzing tumor-immune cell interaction and therapeutic response

Immunotherapy is transforming the treatment of cancer by activating and directing a patient’s own immune response to target tumor cells. In solid tumors, however, there has been limited success in sustaining anti-tumor immune responses. This is attributed to the intrinsic features of the tumor microenvironment, including the lack of infiltrating immune cells and varying expression of tumor antigens, forming an immunosuppressive landscape. Despite recent advances, we do not fully understand how the immune components of the tumor microenvironment are linked to ineffective treatment outcomes. Advanced 3D cancer models offer a platform to deconstruct tumor tissues and study disease progression and resistance to treatment, helping to uncover drivers of immune evasion in a physiologically relevant context. Here, we discuss aspects of the tumor immune microenvironment in selected solid tumors defined by distinct immunosuppressive features that dictate response to immunotherapy. We highlight how advanced 3D cancer models accelerate the development and screening of therapeutic strategies that target the immunosuppressive microenvironment.