HUMAN INNERVATED, VASCULARIZED, AND IMMUNIZED TUMOURS-ON-CHIP AS SURROGATES FOR ANIMAL TESTING

Cancer R&D has heavily relied on preclinical animal models that inadequately reproduce the tumour microenvironment (TME) defined
by the intimate crosstalk of neuro-immune-tumour interactions. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop human-based preclinical
models that enhance the social impact of cancer R&D increasing patient well-being and reducing animal suffering.
Microphysiological systems such as cancer-on-chip (CoC) can reproduce in vitro the neuro-immune-oncologic TME, emerging as the
most promising alternative to animal testing. MITIGATE, a transdisciplinary consortium will employ a robust and transferable (TRL5/6)
human-based, vascularized, neuro-immune melanoma-on-chip as a proof-of-concept model. This will foster clinical translation of
cancer discoveries and significantly reduce animal use.
CoC will be based on the physical and functional assembly of: (i) reprogramed human sensory neurons in compartmentalized
microfluidic chambers (somal & axonal) endowed with functional sensors; (ii) 3D bioprinting of melanoma and immune cells onto
axonal endings; and (iii) vascularization of axonal compartment.
MITIGATE aims to become the paradigm that facilitates clinical translation of cancer discoveries and considerably reducing animal
testing, first for melanoma, and ultimately, for all solid tumours. Social delivery is warranted by integrating representatives of the
entire value health-tech chain form research leaders to key stakeholders (patients, oncologists, regulators, and developers).