Utilizing our newly developed co-spheroid model, we were able to demonstrate in this proof-of-concept study, using the CCL5/CCR1 axis as an example, the relevance of such 3D models for deciphering potentially new markers resulting from the direct interaction between breast cancer cells and adipose stroma cells that may not be detected in standard 2D culture. The gene discussed is CCR1; the disease is breast carcinoma.