Bioprinting in tumor model construction for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: A review

Abstract

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a malignancy with increasing incidence worldwide, causing a severe impact on the quality of life and survival rate of affected patients. Traditional tumor models have significant limitations in studying biological properties, tumor microenvironment, and treatment response, and the difficulty in obtaining HNSCC specimens has hampered our understanding and the development of treatment for the disease. Recent rapid development in bioprinting has provided new possibilities for tumor model construction, enabling precise control of cell arrangement and tissue structure to be more realistically simulated tumor biological properties. This review summarizes the latest progress of bioprinting in HNSCC tumor model construction, explores the application of different bioprinting technologies, the properties of constructed tumor models, and the potential applications of these models in drug screening and individualized treatment, aiming to provide reference and inspiration for future research and treatment of HNSCC.