[Research shows that three-dimensional tumor models can help speed up the development of anti-cancer drugs] On September 13, researchers from the University of Manchester in the UK recently published a paper in the British Journal of Cancer saying that using biomaterials to construct a three-dimensional tumor model in the laboratory that is close to the real tumor environment of the human body can help speed up the development of anti-cancer drugs. According to a press release issued by the University of Manchester, researchers analyzed cancer tumor models based on advanced biomaterials such as hydrogels. This type of material can serve as a scaffold for cells to attach and grow. By adding various cells to the three-dimensional structure formed by it, a miniature "tumor ecosystem" can be constructed, which can be used to simulate and analyze characteristics such as cell-cell interactions and drug resistance. Researchers pointed out that in the past, flat materials were often used when cultivating cancer cells, which was difficult to simulate the complex environment and cell interactions inside real tumors. Therefore, some drug candidates that performed well in tests may not be effective in subsequent stages. Three-dimensional tumor models can provide a drug testing environment that is closer to the actual situation in the human body and help screen more potential drug candidates.