Researchers develop innovative vascularized tumor model to advance cancer immunotherapy

A research team led by the Faculty of Dentistry at The University of Hong Kong (HKU) has developed a novel vascularized tumor model using a non-surgical injectable hydrogel system. This innovative approach provides a powerful new platform for researching cancer and testing immune cell therapies. The breakthrough has been published in Advanced Composites and Hybrid Materials and represents a significant advancement in modeling the complex nature of tumors for oncology.

This study has established a reliable model using a fully degradable, injectable, self-crosslinking hydrogel composed of carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCTS) and oxidized hyaluronic acid (oHA) to encapsulate high-density tumor cells. The team was led by Professor Sang Jin Lee, Assistant Professor in Biofunctional Materials from the Faculty of Dentistry, in collaboration with Professor Rio Ryohichi Sugimura, Assistant Professor from the School of Biomedical Sciences in LKS Faculty of Medicine at HKU.

This model effectively supports the spontaneous formation of solid tumors with functional host-derived vasculature in mice. Unlike conventional inoculation techniques, this approach precisely localizes tumor cells at the injection site, enabling the development of tumor clusters free from biomaterial residues, while fostering vascular networks that closely mimic the natural tumor microenvironment.

“The lack of reliable vascularized tumor models has long been a bottleneck in cancer research,” emphasized Prof. Lee. “Our platform not only faithfully recaptures the tumor microenvironment but, more importantly, provides a dependable tool for immune cell therapy research. This is particularly significant for advancing treatments for malignancies.”

The model enables effective delivery and infiltration of immune cells. Researchers demonstrated that human macrophages injected via the tail vein successfully homed in on and adhered to the tumor tissue created by the model, showcasing its direct application for developing and testing cell-based immunotherapies.

Professor Lee further noted, “This model will serve as a vital conduit for the research and development of cell therapies to treat various cancers, such as oral cancer, in the near future, offering new possibilities for improving patient outcomes.”

The study’s findings have profound implications for cancer research, providing a novel approach to modeling tumors and testing therapeutic strategies. Professor Lee and his team believe this platform will accelerate the development of effective immune cell therapies, ultimately improving outcomes for cancer patients in Hong Kong.

More information:
Ziqi Huang et al, Homogeneously cross-linked in situ hydrogel enclosing high-density human-cancer cells promotes vascularized in vivo tumor modeling for immune cell therapy, Advanced Composites and Hybrid Materials (2025). DOI: 10.1007/s42114-025-01429-4