Using biomaterial-based 3D in vitro cancer models to solve current clinical problems

Recent advances in the field of biomaterials show promise in developing pre-clinical models that could elucidate new and innovative treatments for cancer. Both cellular and acellular components can drive cancer formation, progression, and metastasis. Biomaterial-based 3D in vitro models can mimic both these cellular and acellular components. Highly tuneable and biocompatible materials such as hydrogels provide a scaffold for in vitro investigations, mimicking the tumour extracellular matrix structure, upon which cancer cells and additional cellular components can be seeded. Such models have already shown good mimicry of the tumour microenvironment, demonstrating a platform that can be used for drug screening, investigation of treatment response, and a model for the mechanisms of cancer progression. The limitations of current preclinical models include long development times, false-positive drug screening results in 2D cell culture models, and high cost of animal models. This review aims to show the role of biomaterial-based models in addressing existing clinical problems by bridging the gap between current research outcomes and their potential clinical impact.