Cancer Cell Direct Bioprinting: A Focused Review

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Cancer Research
• Tissue Engineering

Background:

• Three-dimensional (3D) printing enables complex part fabrication with precision and speed.
• Bioprinting, a 3D printing application, includes direct and indirect methods for biomedical use.
• Traditional indirect bioprinting uses scaffolds for cell culture, which has limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an updated review of materials, bioprinting technologies, and cells in cancer research.
• To explore direct bioprinting as a superior alternative to traditional tissue engineering methods.
• To aid in developing new treatments for various cancers and enhance guided therapies.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on 3D bioprinting in cancer research.
• Analysis of materials, cell types, and technologies used in direct and indirect bioprinting.
• Focus on applications in breast, brain, lung, liver, reproductive, gastric, skin, and bladder cancers.

Main Results:

• Direct bioprinting facilitates bioassembly of cells, mimicking the native extracellular matrix.
• This approach offers advantages over scaffold-based methods for cell culturing.
• Identified key components (materials, technologies, cells) for advancing cancer bioprinting.

Conclusions:

• Direct bioprinting is a pivotal technology in tissue engineering for cancer research.
• The review provides a comprehensive overview to guide the development of innovative cancer therapies.
• Advancements in bioprinting hold potential for reducing cancer mortality rates and improving treatment efficacy.