Biomaterials for Mimicking and Modelling Tumor Microenvironment.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Cancer Research
• Materials Science

Background:

• Conventional 2D cancer models lack the physiological complexity of the native tumor microenvironment (TME).
• This discrepancy limits the translational relevance of preclinical therapeutic development.
• Emerging technologies offer advanced methods to study the TME.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize current biomaterials and technologies for mimicking and characterizing the TME.
• To highlight the transition from 2D to advanced 3D models in cancer research.
• To discuss the role of AI and high-throughput data in advancing preclinical therapeutics and personalized medicine.

Main Methods:

• Review of biomaterials and microfabrication technologies for TME research.
• Comparison of traditional 2D models with advanced 3D bioprinting and microfluidic systems.
• Integration of artificial intelligence for data analysis and prediction in cancer models.

Main Results:

• 3D models, including bioprinters and microfluidic devices, offer superior physiological relevance compared to 2D cultures.
• New technologies enable the collection of time-dependent data on cellular interactions, fluid dynamics, and biomechanical cues.
• Advancements facilitate high-throughput experiments and high-quality data generation.

Conclusions:

• Biomaterials and advanced technologies are crucial for accurately mimicking the tumor microenvironment (TME).
• The shift to 3D models and AI integration is driving a new era in biomedical engineering for preclinical therapeutics.
• These developments pave the way for personalized medicine by providing a deeper understanding of cancer's complexity.