Tuning the viscoelastic properties of hydrogels to mimic prostatic cancer microenvironment

An internally crosslinked alginate/gelatin hydrogel was developed as a 3D bioprintable prostate cancer model with tunable viscoelastic properties and optimised printability. By controlling composition and experimental parameters, the hydrogel stiffness was tailored to match the mechanical range of prostate cancer tissue. Rheological analyses guided printability optimisation, which was then validated using a pneumatic 3D bioprinter. Cell viability and metabolic activity within the hydrogel increased over 72 hours, and the pH reached neutrality within 2 hours, demonstrating the system’s suitability for advanced in vitro cancer models.