The use of 3D skin equivalents mimicking skin cancers: unraveling the heterogeneity of cancer-associated fibroblasts and validating therapeutic efficacy

Wu, S. (2026)

Doctoral Thesis

The work presented in this thesis demonstrated multidisciplinary cooperation among Oncology, Bioengineering, Nanomedicine, and Pharmacology. This thesis aims to elucidate aspects of CAF heterogeneity using 3D FTMs that mimic different types of skin (epithelial) cancers, and to examine the potential of 3D FTMs for drug efficacy evaluation, with a particular focus on tumor-stroma interactions.

• Human Skin Equivalent
• Cancer-associated fibroblast
• Skin cancer
• Pathway inhibitors
• Tumor invasion

• All authors: Wu, S.
• Supervisor: Vermeer, M.H.
• Co-supervisor: El Ghalbzouri, A.
• Committee: Doorn, R. van; Dijke, P. ten; Maaden, K. van der; Keizer, P.L.J. de; Snaar-Jagalska, B.E.
• Qualification: Doctor (dr.)
• Awarding Institution: Faculty of Medicine, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden University
• Date: 2026-03-12
• ISBN (print): 9789465341828
• DOI: doi:10.60602/1887-4296712