Citations

Abstract Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive form of cancer, comprising ≈80% of malignant brain tumors. However, there are no effective treatments for GBM due to its heterogeneity and the presence of the blood‐brain barrier (BBB), which restricts the delivery of therapeutics to the brain. Despite in vitro models contributing to the understanding of GBM, conventional 2D models oversimplify the complex tumor microenvironment. Organ‐on‐a‐chip (OoC) models have emerged as promising platforms that recapitulate human tissue physiology, enabling disease modeling, drug screening, and personalized medicine. There is a sudden increase in GBM‐on‐a‐chip models that can significantly advance the knowledge of GBM etiology and revolutionize drug development by reducing animal testing and enhancing translation to the clinic. In this review, an overview of GBM‐on‐a‐chip models and their applications is reported for drug screening and discussed current challenges and potential future directions for GBM‐on‐a‐chip models.

AbstractEndovascular embolization to treat vascular hemorrhage involves pushing coil‐shaped metal wires into the artery repeatedly until they are densely packed to slow the blood flow and clot. However, coil embolization is associated with high rebleeding rates, unpredictable economics and, most importantly, they rely on the patient's ability to make a clot. These issues are exacerbated when the patient is anticoagulated or coagulopathic. A novel bioengineered tantalum‐loaded nanocomposite hydrogel for gel embolic material (Ta‐GEM) that can be rapidly delivered using clinical catheters for instant hemostasis regardless of the coagulopathic state is reported. Ta‐GEM formulation is visible by most of the clinically available imaging modalities including ultrasound, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and fluoroscopy without significant artifact. In addition, Ta‐GEM can be retrieved, allowing temporary vascular occlusion, and it can be used to rescue cases of failed coil embolization. Ta‐GEM occlusion of first‐order arteries such as the renal artery and iliac artery in a swine model is found to be safe and durable; by 28 days, 75% of the injected Ta‐GEM in the arterial lumen is replaced by dense connective tissue. Altogether, this study demonstrates that Ta‐GEM has many advantages over the current technologies and has potential applications in clinical practice.

AbstractImmunotherapy is a class of promising anticancer treatments that has recently gained attention due to surging numbers of FDA approvals and extensive preclinical studies demonstrating efficacy. Nevertheless, further clinical implementation has been limited by high variability in patient response to different immunotherapeutic agents. These treatments currently do not have reliable predictors of efficacy and may lead to side effects. The future development of additional immunotherapy options and the prediction of patient‐specific response to treatment require advanced screening platforms associated with accurate and rapid data interpretation. Advanced engineering approaches ranging from sequencing and gene editing, to tumor organoids engineering, bioprinted tissues, and organs‐on‐a‐chip systems facilitate the screening of cancer immunotherapies by recreating the intrinsic and extrinsic features of a tumor and its microenvironment. High‐throughput platform development and progress in artificial intelligence can also improve the efficiency and accuracy of screening methods. Here, these engineering approaches in screening cancer immunotherapies are highlighted, and a discussion of the future perspectives and challenges associated with these emerging fields to further advance the clinical use of state‐of‐the‐art cancer immunotherapies are provided.

Abstract Minimally invasive transcatheter embolization is a common nonsurgical procedure in interventional radiology used for the deliberate occlusion of blood vessels for the treatment of diseased or injured vasculature. A wide variety of embolic agents including metallic coils, calibrated microspheres, and liquids are available for clinical practice. Additionally, advances in biomaterials, such as shape‐memory foams, biodegradable polymers, and in situ gelling solutions have led to the development of novel preclinical embolic agents. The aim here is to provide a comprehensive overview of current and emerging technologies in endovascular embolization with respect to devices, materials, mechanisms, and design guidelines. Limitations and challenges in embolic materials are also discussed to promote advancement in the field.

Abstract Advances in biomaterial synthesis and fabrication, stem cell biology, bioimaging, microsurgery procedures, and microscale technologies have made minimally invasive therapeutics a viable tool in regenerative medicine. Therapeutics, herein defined as cells, biomaterials, biomolecules, and their combinations, can be delivered in a minimally invasive way to regenerate different tissues in the body, such as bone, cartilage, pancreas, cardiac, skeletal muscle, liver, skin, and neural tissues. Sophisticated methods of tracking, sensing, and stimulation of therapeutics in vivo using nano‐biomaterials and soft bioelectronic devices provide great opportunities to further develop minimally invasive and regenerative therapeutics (MIRET). In general, minimally invasive delivery methods offer high yield with low risk of complications and reduced costs compared to conventional delivery methods. Here, minimally invasive approaches for delivering regenerative therapeutics into the body are reviewed. The use of MIRET to treat different tissues and organs is described. Although some clinical trials have been performed using MIRET, it is hoped that such therapeutics find wider applications to treat patients. Finally, some future perspective and challenges for this emerging field are highlighted.

AbstractBiodegradable drug‐eluting stents (DESs) are used today to treat atherosclerotic arteries and as vehicles to deliver inhibitors to suppress restenosis, with potential applications also in localized cancer therapy. Here the development of a series of drug‐eluting poly(glycerol sebacate) (PGS) coils that may find possible use as DESs is reported. PGS is a tough, biodegradable, and biocompatible elastomer that has adjustable mechanical properties thanks to careful control of the fabrication process. Specifically, 3D PGS coils featuring superior mechanical and fracture‐resistance properties are fabricated. The surface erosion profile of PGS is designed to further reduce the risk of fragmentation and non‐target embolization during the degradation process. A dual‐encapsulation mechanism is applied, first poly(ε‐caprolactone) microparticles loaded with an anticancer drug Doxorubicin followed by dispersion of these microparticles in the PGS coils, to prolong the release of drug molecules from the interior. Systematic evaluations of the mechanical properties of the PGS coils and their drug release behaviors are conducted. It is anticipated that, these PGS coils may enable minimally invasive delivery using standard endovascular catheters, for achieving localized and sustained release of chemotherapy to tumors, as well as conventional applications in treating vascular disorders.

The effect of ionic strength on the structure and rheological properties of nanoclay–gelatin shear-thinning biomaterials (STBs) is investigated. A fundamental insight into nanoclay–polymer interactions in physiological environments is provided to design clay-based biomaterials for biomedical applications.