AccScience Publishing / IJB / Online First / DOI: 10.36922/IJB025060050
REVIEW
Early Access

3D printing technology: Driving pioneering innovations in anti-cancer drug delivery systems

Jiayi Ma1 Youlong Hai1 Kai Ni1* Xiaoyong Hu1*
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1 Department of Urology, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, 200233, Shanghai, China.
Submitted: 9 February 2025 | Accepted: 5 March 2025 | Published: 10 March 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioprinting of Nanomaterials for Biomedical Applications)
© 2025 by the Author(s). This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ )
Abstract

With the rising global incidence of cancer and the limitations of traditional treatment methods, the integration of three-dimensional (3D) printing technology with drug delivery systems offers a promising solution for precision medicine. 3D printing, with its high flexibility and precise production control, allows for the accurate modulation of drug delivery systems, particularly in terms of targeted delivery and controlled drug release rates, thus significantly enhancing therapeutic efficacy and reducing side effects. This review focuses on the applications of various drug delivery forms, such as microneedle patches, implants, and tablets, in the treatment of cancers including breast cancer, melanoma, osteosarcoma, cervical cancer, colorectal cancer, and prostate cancer. Furthermore, the review explores the synergistic effects of combination therapies, such as photothermal therapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy, within 3D-printed drug delivery systems, and assesses their potential in addressing tumor recurrence, drug resistance, and treatment-related side effects. Despite the substantial promise of 3D printing technology in cancer treatment, challenges remain in material selection, process optimization, and production standardization. As technology continues to evolve and multidisciplinary collaborations deepen, 3D printing is expected to play an increasingly significant role in the future of precision medicine and personalized cancer therapy.

Keywords
3D printing
Drug delivery
Cancer treatment
Personalized medicine
Funding
This work was supported by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Shanghai Sixth People’s Hospital (grant number: ynms202405 to Xiaoyong Hu); the National Natural Science Foundation of China [grant number 82103260 to K.N.]; the Shanghai Rising-Star Program [grant number 22QA1407100 to K.N.]; the Excellent Youth Cultivation Program of Shanghai Sixth People’s Hospital [grant number ynyq202204 to K.N.]; the Fundamental Research Funds for the Shanghai Sixth People’s Hospital (grant number: X-2490 to K.N.).
Conflict of interest
The authors declare no conflict of interests.
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International Journal of Bioprinting, Electronic ISSN: 2424-8002 Print ISSN: 2424-7723, Published by AccScience Publishing