An in vitro three-dimensional organotypic model to analyze peripancreatic fat invasion in pancreatic cancer: A culture system based on collagen gel embedding

Three-dimensional culture systems reflect biological environments better than conventional two-dimensional culture. Additionally, three-dimensional culture is a strong experimental tool to analyze direct interactions between cancer cells and stromal cells in vitro. Herein, we describe protocols for an organotypic fat invasion model that is a novel culturing system mimicking the extrapancreatic invasion of pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PDAC). This novel model is based on the collagen I gel embedding method and enables us to analyze the functional and histological interactions between cancer cells and adipose tissue.