Cancer Models on Chip: Paving the Way to Large‐Scale Trial Applications

Abstract

Cancer kills millions of individuals every year all over the world (Global Cancer Observatory). The physiological and biomechanical processes underlying the tumor are still poorly understood, hindering researchers from creating new, effective therapies. Inconsistent results of preclinical research, in vivo testing, and clinical trials decrease drug approval rates. 3D tumor‐on‐a‐chip (ToC) models integrate biomaterials, tissue engineering, fabrication of microarchitectures, and sensory and actuation systems in a single device, enabling reliable studies in fundamental oncology and pharmacology. This review includes a critical discussion about their ability to reproduce the tumor microenvironment (TME), the advantages and drawbacks of existing tumor models and architectures, major components and fabrication techniques. The focus is on current materials and micro/nanofabrication techniques used to manufacture reliable and reproducible microfluidic ToC models for large‐scale trial applications.

3D Printing for Cancer Diagnosis: What Unique Advantages Are Gained?

“…The use of 3D printing technology has the potential to address the manufacturing limitations associated with LOC platforms, which can be complex and time-consuming to produce . 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, enables the creation of 3D objects from digital CAD files in a layer-by-layer fashion.…”

“…The use of 3D printing technology has the potential to address the manufacturing limitations associated with LOC platforms, which can be complex and time-consuming to produce. 125 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, enables the creation of 3D objects from digital CAD files in a layer-by-layer fashion. This technique is widely used for prototyping due to its ability to implement complex geometries and realize desired objects quickly at a low cost.…”

Lymph node metastasis in oral squamous cell carcinoma: Where we are and where we are going

“…Furthermore, the Organs‐on‐Chips (OoCs) system is an emerging tool for in vitro experiments, capable of simulating human organ functions and disease pathophysiology 101 . These perfused microfluidic chips simulate the tumour microenvironment and host cells and tissues similarly to in vivo conditions, thereby enabling a profound understanding of human cancer's pathophysiology in an organ‐related context while circumventing ethical issues 102 . Although several lymph node on‐chips have been developed, this area warrants further exploration in the OSCC field 103 …”

“…101 These perfused microfluidic chips simulate the tumour microenvironment and host cells and tissues similarly to in vivo conditions, thereby enabling a profound understanding of human cancer's pathophysiology in an organ-related context while circumventing ethical issues. 102 Although several lymph node on-chips have been developed, this area warrants further exploration in the OSCC field. 103 Nanotechnology-mediated drug delivery systems have been proposed as a potent approach for combating cancer metastasis.…”

Rational designed Fe-ZIFs@CoP nanoplatforms for photothermal-enhanced ROS-mediated tumor therapy

“…Tumors are harmful to human health featuring with increased mortality and causing millions of deaths worldwide ( Zhang et al, 2023a ; Zhao et al, 2023a ; Zhang et al, 2023b ; Gil et al, 2023 ; Yong et al, 2023 ). Compared with early-stage tumors, malignant tumors are not easy to clear, but easy to relapse and metastasize, destroying the structure and function of normal tissues and organs, causing complications such as necrosis, bleeding, and co-infection, and eventually leading to organ failure and death ( Chang et al, 2022 ; Shan et al, 2022 ; Diao and Liu, 2023 ; Li et al, 2023 ; Wang et al, 2023 ).Due to the advances in nanotechnology, rationally designed nanomaterials provide a promising approach for tumor therapy ( Wang et al, 2021a ; Xujiang et al, 2021 ; Yu et al, 2021 ; Zhang et al, 2021 ; Jiang et al, 2023 ).…”