3D Bioprinting Could Make Cancer Treatment More Effective/ Source: BCC research blog
The use of 3D bioprinting might lead to an improvement in the effectiveness of cancer treatment. Cancer is a leading cause of death in every region of the world. According to reports from the World Health Organization (WHO), it was responsible for around 10 million deaths worldwide in 2020. This is approximately one in every six deaths.
The research on treatments is making progress, but there is still much work to be done before a cure can be found. On the other hand, there is reason for renewed optimism. Researchers from the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM) and the Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), both of which are under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Science and ICT, have announced the development of a novel 3D bioprinting technique.
Solid tumors, which are cancerous and made up of vascular and connective tissue components, are notoriously difficult to treat, particularly with immunotherapy. Solid tumors are made up of vascular and connective tissue components. The natural killer cells, also known as NK cells, are a kind of leukocyte that aggressively seek out and destroy cells in the human body that are foreign or potentially hazardous. These natural killer cells are the primary target of this treatment. According to the Cancer Center’s research, immunotherapy is so effective against some types of cancer that doctors frequently recommend treatment to patients who are already in the advanced stages of the disease. This is the reason why further research is required.
Results of the 3D Bioprinting
As the main component of immunotherapy, NK cells are often administered by intravenous injection. The NK cells, conversely, are enclosed in hydrogels that have been created using a 3D printer. This helps to avoid the death of natural killer (NK) cells, which in turn enables a bigger majority of those cells to target the cancer cells themselves.
This is made possible because the hydrogel, which is composed of sodium alginate and gelatin, develops holes over time, which, in turn, make it possible for NK cells to be released at a later period. In addition, the cell survival and activity of the NK cells are improved due to the process that involves injecting them in the hydrogel, printing them, and then cultivating them.
And the results of the investigation have been encouraging thus far. According to the study report, the hydrogel created an adequate habitat for the NK cells. Because of this, 3D bioprinting of the NK cells is now considered a feasible possible therapy, paving the way for an even more effective treatment for cancer. According to the findings uncovered by KIMM’s Principal Researcher Su A Park, “This technology can help to significantly improve the functionality of NK cells that are used for the treatment of cancer.” Using this recently created technology, we want to contribute to treating people suffering from cancer. You can download the full research HERE.
About 3D Bioprinting
Researchers’ innovations and momentum have accelerated the development of 3D bioprinting. 3D printing is not a brand new technique, though. In 1984, Charles Hull submitted a patent for the first commercial 3D printing technique, marking the beginning of the 3D printing era. This has become a landmark in the history of 3D printing and laid the groundwork for the development of 3D bioprinting.
Depiction of bioprinting/ Source: biolife4d
Robert J. Klebe first utilized an inkjet printer to print living cells in 1988, marking the beginning of the era of bioprinting. Following these initial developments, the area has undergone continuous evolution as new approaches and tools have been developed. Bioprinting has gained popularity as a result of the endless options and chances it presents to build something revolutionary.
Using bioinks that have been combined with living cells, 3D bioprinting may create three-dimensional structures that mimic the look and feel of actual tissue. This technique has already been put to use in a number of fields, including tissue engineering and drug discovery.
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