Cell encapsulated biomaterials for translational medicine

Biomaterial supported cell encapsulation matrices have demonstrated superior properties for enhancing biological functionality, making them highly significant for translational medicine across multiple therapeutic applications. This review examined how biomaterials interact with cellular therapies, including stem cells, immune cells, and fibroblasts across single-cell, multicellular, and core-shell structures. The biomaterial capsule plays a key role in improving cell viability, immune protection, and supporting tissue-specific interactions. Furthermore, this review highlights current trends in microfluidics, 3D printing, in situ preparation, and electrospraying self-assembly, each method offering different advantages for cell encapsulation matrices. Microfluidics allows precise control of capsule size and uniformity, making it suitable for single-cell and core-shell encapsulation. The 3D printing technologies empower accurate cell placement to build multicellular structures that mimic native tissue organization. In situ preparation directly encapsulates cells within the target tissue. Collectively, these techniques significantly influence the physical, chemical, and biological properties of encapsulated cells. Additionally, we discuss various biomaterials including natural proteins, polysaccharides, and synthetic polymers, each material offers unique benefits in terms of biocompatibility and biodegradability. The integration of living cells with biomaterial matrix cell encapsulation systems greatly exhibits mechanical strength, high porosity, and controlled drug release. Importantly, this review emphasises the dual role of the biomaterial capsule in cancer therapy, which enhances anti-tumor immune responses and promotes tissue regeneration, with a focus on bone, skin, neural tissue, liver, vascular structures, and skeletal muscle repair. In conclusion, cell-encapsulated biomaterials are a versatile platform supporting both cancer immunotherapy and regenerative medicine, underscoring their wide range of biomedical applications.