The cost-efficient techniques to evaluate the age-based structural heterogeneity and morphological analysis of multicellular tumor spheroids | [Pakistan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences • 2025]

Author(s):

1. Aziz-Ur-Rahman: Department of Pharmacy, University of Malakand, Chakdara, Pakistan Manchester Pharmacy School, The University of Manchester, UK

2. Maqsood ur Rehman: Department of Pharmacy, University of Malakand,Chakdara,Pakistan

3. Sheikh Abdur Rashid: Gomal Center of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Gomal University Dera Ismail Khan,,Pakistan

4. Shujaat Ahmad: Department of Pharmacy, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University Sheringal,Dir Upper,Pakistan

5. Muhammad Asif Khan: Department of Pharmacy, Sarhad University of Science & IT,Peshawar,Pakistan

6. Imran Tariq: Department of Pharmacy, Abasyn University Peshawar,,Pakistan

7. Abidullah: Department of Pharmacy, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University Sheringal,Dir Upper,Pakistan

8. Nauman Rahim Khan: Department of Pharmacy, Kohat University of Science and Technology,Kohat,Pakistan

9. Attiqa Naz: Department of Pharmacy, Abasyn University Peshawar,,Pakistan

10. Sumbal Kibria: Rawal College of Pharmacy Islamabad, Pakistan

11. Jahangir Khan: Department of Pharmacy, University of Malakand,Chakdara,Pakistan

Abstract:

Tumor tissues being resistant to penetration of drug molecules causing hindrance to cancer therapy. Multicellular tumor spheroids (MCTSs) are used as an in-vitro tumor model and its detailed exploration is the need of the day. MCTSs were generated by liquid overlay technique, their penta-physical characteristics including diameter, cell number, volume per cell, viability status and estimated shell of viable and core of dead cells, were determined via confocal microscopy and haemocytometry. The growth of spheroids was linear over the first week but declined in the 2nd week. Compaction of spheroids occurs from day 3 to day 7, with the mature spheroids having a lower amount of extra cellular space compared to intracellular volume. Age-oriented growth of MCTSs provides a rationale to predict less rapid penetration as spheroids get older and could be correlated with in-vivo tumors to predict pharmaceutical and therapeutic intervention.

Page(s): 129-137

DOI: 10.36721/PJPS.2025.38.1.REG.129-137.1

Published: Journal: Pakistan Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Volume: 38, Issue: 1, Year: 2025

Keywords:

spheroid composition , haemocytometry , Interconversion of spheroid parameters , confocal microscopy , disaggregation of spheroids , compaction of spheroids

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