3D Spheroids As A Biological Testing Model for Anti-Cancer Vanadium Complexes
Category: Research Poster
Author(s): Kalee Salazar, Andrew Schlink
Presenter(s): Kalee Salazar
Mentors(s): Debbie Crans
3D Spheroids As A Biological Testing Model for Anti-Cancer Vanadium Complexes Kalee Salazar, Drew Schlink, and Debbie C. Crans Deadly cancers including Glioblastoma are aggressive and difficult to treat. Glioblastoma is characterized by tumors within the glial cells of the brain, and has a short survival rate. Due to glioblastoma’s invasiveness and organ of origin, anti-cancer drugs are typically ineffective. It’s common to see limitations with crossing the blood-brain barrier, and chemotherapy resistance. Anti-cancer drugs typically consist of metal complexes such as cisplatin. However, these complexes are hindered by toxicity and resistance, so alternatives must be considered. The Crans group has been investigating noninnocent Vanadium Schiff base catecholate complexes as substitutes. Specifically, the effects of [VVO(Cl-SALIEP)DTB](SALIEP=N-(salicylideneaminato)-2-(2-aminoethylpyridine;Cl-SALIE =N-(5-chlorosalicylideneaminato)-2-(2-aminoethyl)pyridine, L= catecholato(2) ligand) and its derivatives are studied. These complexes show promising anticancer activity and are cytotoxic in glioblastoma cells, called “T98G cells”. The difficulty in this seemingly groundbreaking discovery lies in the fact that T98G cells are 2D, and do not accurately represent an in-vivo brain tumor. Therefore, the results can be unrealistic. The Crans group has primarily tested the noninnocent vanadium compounds in these 2D models, and are looking to use 3D spheroids instead for more realistic results. 3D spheroid models offer a more tumor-like structure with more life-like characteristics such as nutrient gradients. In this project, the differences of studying the anti-cancer properties of these vanadium complexes in 2D cell cultures versus 3D spheroid models are explored.