Advanced Organ-on-Chip Solutions for Cancer Research
Bring your tumor model to the next level of complexity with 3D, microvascularized models of the tumor microenvironment.
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How organ-on-chip technology makes in vitro cancer models more realistic and meaningful
Multilayer biochips for complex, 3D in vitro cancer models
Our solution for modeling cancer uses a 3-channel biochip enabling the researcher to establish three different compartments:
- Top and bottom channel represent a perfused vascular compartment with immune cells (in blue).
- The middle channel represents the tumor with spheroids embedded into an extracellular matrix (ECM). Endothelial cells added into the tumor matrix will form a perfusable microvasculature directly connecting the tumor to upper and lower vascular channel.
Tumor microenvironment
Together with our 3-channel biochip the tumor microenvironment (TME) kit creates a biomimetic matrix inside the biochip supporting 3D co-culture of multiple cell types such as tumor cells, cancer associated fibroblasts, immune cells and endothelial cells (vasculature).
Tumor spheroids for a realistic 3D structure like in vivo
Tumor spheroids better mimic in vivo tumor architecture and drug exposure than 2D cell cultures. This makes them more suitable for drug screening and cancer research, as they exhibit drug resistance and more accurately predict in vivo outcomes.
Our cancer-on-chip method enables the inclusion of tumor spheroids containing your chosen cancer cells into a gel matrix inside a 3-channel biochip. This arrangement allows the 3D tumors to organically grow within a biomimetic matrix, defining their own environment as they would do in vivo.
Would you like to learn more about spheroids-on-chip in this blog.
Direct perfusion of tumor tissue for circulation of immune cells and nutrients
When using the DynamicOrgan System the 3-channel biochip can be connected to a peristaltic pump allowing perfusion of the cancer model. This allows for constant supply of fresh nutrient and oxygen via the vasculature. Perfusion is also needed to create the microvasculature network around the tumor.
Furthermore, it enables immune cells to circulate and infiltrate the tumor microenvironment via a microvasculature. Where researchers can then monitor the polarization of immune cells by the TME.
Dynamic drug application for pre-clinical research
A perfused systems allows for vascular application of drugs, modelling the natural endothelial barrier drugs need to cross when accessing the tumor, allowing a more accurate prediction of drug dosage reaching the tumor.
Furthermore, the stretch and strain stress introduced by the perfusion, sensed by especially fibroblasts and immune cells, induces changes in the TME mimicking the in vivo stress tumors are experiencing.
If needed drugs can be dosed externally into the system via a separate pump to allow for controlled application of compounds or the usage instable substances.
Why our solution is unique
3D Tumor Architecture
Microvasculature
Tumor Microenvironment
Easy In-Chip Imaging
Large Tumor Tissue (300 ul) & Easy Tissue Recovery
Tissue Resident & Circulating Immune Cells
Compatible with < 1mm Tumor Spheroids
Dynamic Drug Application & Drug Dosing
Cancer Model Set Up & Features
The cancer-on-chip model uses the DynamicOrgan 3-Channel Kit containing a 3-channel biochip and the DynamicOrgan TME Kit enabling the researcher to establish three different compartments:
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- Top and bottom channel represent a perfused vascular compartment with immune cells (in blue).
- The middle channel represents the tumor with spheroids embedded into an extracellular matrix (ECM). Endothelial cells added into the tumor matrix will form a perfusable microvasculature directly connecting the tumor to upper and lower vascular channel.
The Dynamic42 cancer-on-chip can be operated with various cell sources. Additionally, one biochip can cultivate two cancer models in parallel. Please get in contact for further details.
Application Areas for the Cancer Model
- Tumor growth and microenvironment
- TME interaction
- Metastasis and invasion
- Immune invasion
- Neo-angiogenesis
- Immuno-oncology and Combination Therapies
- Dynamic drug application & Drug Dosing
- Drug efficacy and toxicity
Related Products
- Create multiple tissue interfaces
- Build tri-layered models with epithelial and endothelial interfaces
- Kit Includes all consumables for multilayer models and migration studies
More information
The TME Kit creates a biomimetic matrix inside the biochip, empowering researchers to build advanced cancer-on-chip models with a complex tumor microenvironment (TME) and microvasculature.
More information
In addition to the kits, you will require a peristaltic pump. If you don’t have one, you can order a DynamicOrgan® System and will receive a peristaltic pump in addition to your kit of choice.
FAQ for cancer-on-chip
Where can I learn how to establish a cancer-on-chip model?
In the Dynamic42 Academy, we are providing advanced 3-day courses on tumor-on-chip. These courses will teach you how to utilize the 3-channel biochip and set up your own perfused cancer model. Additionally, the TME Kit will come with a protocol that explains how to introduce the matrix, endothelial cells, and tumor spheroids into the 3-channel biochips. Starting from Q1 2026, we will also provide video tutorials for the TME Kit in our Online Academy.
Does this solution work for all cancer types?
The TME-Kit Matrix used in combination with our 3-channel biochip to create the cancer-on-chip models is designed to work with many tumors but is not adapted for a specific cancer type. It acts as a foundation for cancer spheroids, allowing the tumor to define its own tumor microenvironment.
Are the cancer models compatible with live-cell imaging or fluorescence microscopy?
Yes. All our biochips come in a microscope slide format with a clear viewing window, enabling imaging of the tumor microenvironment. Moreover, tumors can be recovered from the biochip by cutting the membrane, facilitating read-outs such as immunofluorescence staining after the experiment.
What are the benefits using tumor-on-chip models for cancer research?
• Enables creation of 3D tumor architecture, essential for realistic cancer modeling.
• Mimics gradients of oxygen, nutrients, and metabolites, plus mechanical cues.
• Supports emergence of cancer hallmarks:
o Angiogenesis & metabolic reprogramming: Hypoxia triggers VEGF and glycolytic shifts.
o Immune evasion: Physical barriers and stromal components hinder immune infiltration.
o Sustained proliferative signaling: Cell–cell and cell–matrix interactions enhance growth factor signaling.
• Resistance to cell death: Hypoxic cores and ECM stiffness activate survival pathways.
• Invasion & metastasis: 3D structure enables EMT and migration through ECM
What types of experiments can I conduct with the cancer-on-chip model?
• Tumor–immune interactions.
• Immune cell polarization, invasion, and migration.
• Tumor angiogenesis studies.
• Drug treatment and response testing.
• Fibrotic barrier research
How long can 3D tumor-on-chip cultures be maintained?
• Vasculature forms in 6–8 days
• Experiments should be performed within ~4 additional days.
• Overall stability depends on tumor cell type (ranges from days to weeks)
What cell types are compatible with the tumor models matrix?
• Tumor cells (various types)
• Endothelial cells.
• Fibroblasts.
• PBMCs, lymphocytes, macrophages
How does continuous perfusion improve tumor microenvironment modeling?
• Introduces mechanical forces sensed by immune cells and CAFs.
• Promotes realistic immune–vascular interactions (adhesion before transmigration)
• Overcomes limitations of 2D systems where gravity alone drives cell contact
Can I do immunotherapy testing with this cancer model?
• Yes - likely. Immune cells can be integrated into the matrix or perfused through the chip.
• Immunotherapeutic agents can be added to perfusion to study effects on tumor–immune interactions
What are typical assay readouts or endpoints for the tumor-on-chip models?
• Immunofluorescence imaging (most common)
• Cytokine secretion analysis.
• Flow cytometry of circulating immune cells