Optimized in vitro three-dimensional invasion assay for quantifying a wide range of cancer cell invasive behavior

• DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2022.101516
• Publication Date: 2022-07-01T22:27:38Z
• Authors: Samantha M. Hill; Marco Padilla-Rod...; Amber Clements; Jillian A. Sweetland; Sara S. Parker; Noel A. Warfel; Ghassan Mouneimne
• Keywords: Gentamicin protection assay

We describe a three-dimensional (3D) in vitro assay for quantifying cancer cell invasion into a 3D microenvironment with defined biochemical and biophysical properties. Researchers can quantify invasion dynamics (e.g., cell motility and directionality) and examine morphological changes during invasion, using live-cell and confocal imaging techniques. Together, these advantages over existing in vitro invasion assays, such as transwell-based assays, provide researchers with a valuable tool to gain insight into the mechanisms regulating cancer cell invasion. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Padilla-Rodriguez et al. (2018) and Watson et al. (2021).