Biomaterial strategies to modulate cancer
Biomaterials have significantly enhanced current abilities to study, diagnose, and treat cancer. Biomaterials have enabled a more detailed study of cancer by improving in vitro modeling of the disease. Since biomaterials facilitate in vitro culturing of cancer cells in 3D, the in vivo tumor environment can be more accurately simulated allowing for in-depth investigations of the underlying molecular and genetic mechanisms of disease progression. Biomaterials have also been utilized to improve cancer detection methods through the development of biomaterials-based contrast agents and molecular probes specific for cancer. Finally, biomaterials have made a significant impact in the development of therapeutics for cancer treatment. In this chapter, we demonstrate how the advancement of biomaterials has been particularly advantageous in the study, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer, as biocompatible materials have begun to play key roles in each of these areas. © 2013 Woodhead Publishing Limited. All rights reserved.