Image-based phenotypic profiling using Cell Painting in a 3D breast cancer spheroid model

In this application note, Molecular Devices provides experimental data on image-based phenotypic profiling using Cell Painting in a 3D breast cancer spheroid model. Image-based phenotypic profiling, such as with the Cell Painting assay, is increasingly used in many applications to quantitatively capture a broad range of phenotypic changes in response to compound-induced or genetic perturbations.

A screen was performed using patient-derived 3D spheroids (tumoroids). In addition to readouts on cell viability, Molecular Devices also adapted the Cell Painting assay for the 3D tumor model. Tumoroids were formed from primary cells isolated from a patient-derived tumor explant, TU-BcX-4IC, that represents metaplastic breast cancer with a triple-negative breast cancer subtype. Tumoroids were treated with 168 compounds from the NIH library of approved oncology drugs and Cell Painting was used to evaluate the associated phenotypic changes. Additionally, a single-feature readout was performed from an image-based viability assay in parallel for comparison. Download this free application note to discover the results and implications of these analyses from Molecular Devices.