Level D· Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studiesLaboratory StudyEurope PMCOpen access

3D pentaculture model unveils malignant cell-driven macrophage polarization in high-grade serous ovarian cancer

Malacrida B., Elorbany S., Laforêts F., Karim F., Bryan-Ravenscroft RC., Sideris M.

Laboratory Study, published in Nat Commun (2026) — summary generated from the PubMed abstract.

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Level D· Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studiesEvidence level of this study

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

  • Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
  • Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
  • Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
  • Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
  • Emerging · Emerging topic under active research
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This page is generated from the PubMed record. The Thai description is an automated summary of bibliographic fields and the abstract, not a full translation, and is not medical advice.

Study type
Laboratory Study
Journal
Nat Commun (2026)
Reported sample size
—
Source database
Europe PMC
PMID
41881987
PMCID
PMC13018538
DOI
10.1038/s41467-026-70398-z
Citations
1

Abstract (original English)

High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) is characterized by a complex, immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) that contributes to poor clinical outcomes and resistance to therapy. To replicate the human TME in vitro, we develop a 3D pentaculture model incorporating five human cell types: malignant HGSOC cells and primary fibroblasts, mesothelial cells, adipocytes, monocytes. Monocytes differentiate into macrophages without exogenous cytokines in the pentacultures. Bulk RNA sequencing and deconvolution with single-cell RNA data from patient biopsies reveal that macrophage clusters within the pentacultures replicate those found in human HGSOC metastases, and proportions of individual clusters vary according to the malignant cell line. The pentacultures enable detailed analysis of malignant cell-macrophage interactions and highlight the influence of malignant cell genomic, transcriptomic and proteomic heterogeneity on the TME. Furthermore, targeting of "do-not-eat-me" signals with anti-CD47 and anti-CD24 monoclonal antibodies demonstrate differential effects on macrophage activity and cancer cell viability, again depending on the individual malignant cell line. Real-time microscopic monitoring of the pentacultures confirms dynamic modulation of macrophage behavior. We conclude that this pentaculture model offers a platform to study malignant cell control of TME elements a

What this study does not prove

  • • This study does not prove SVF is an approved treatment or a replacement for standard care.
  • • This is preclinical work; animal or laboratory results cannot be applied to humans.

Evidence level

Evidence from laboratory and animal studies provides groundwork for understanding mechanisms and potential before human studies continue.

How we grade evidence
Cell Line, TumorMacrophagesHumansCystadenocarcinoma, SerousOvarian NeoplasmsCell DifferentiationFemaleTumor Microenvironment

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