As evidence accumulated showing the critical role of the ECM in orchestrating tissue morphogenesis and function using animal models, primary human breast cells and tumor biopsied carcinoma cells were cultured in an EHS matrix, showing that this culture system recapitulates the growth behavior and the structural and functional differentiation of these cells in vivo. This work established a culture method that allowed the distinction of normal cells from cancer cells (Petersen et al., 1992).
