Understanding tumor heterogeneity as an encourager for cancer metastasis (in vitro model of tumor heterogeneity)

Intra-tumor heterogeneity means that there are more than two types of cells that have different subtypes with distinct molecular and gene expressions in a single tumor colony. Tumor heterogeneity is a crucial phenomenon for tumor progression and a main reason of drug resistance. To study the causes and consequences of tumor heterogeneity, most researchers have focused on molecular and genetic association of cancer cells. However, phenotypic events during tumor progression have been barely studied because of the lack of suitable in vitro models. Here, in our study, we developed a in vitro tumor heterogeneity model, capable of emulating 3D microenvironment and heterogeneous condition of tumor, to evaluate the phenotypic phenomena caused in heterogeneous cell population in tumor during metastasis.