Revolutionizing cancer care: Bioprinting prostate cancer stem cells for targeted treatments.

Abstract

Prostate cancer (PCa), one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality in men worldwide, presents significant challenges due to its heterogeneity and the presence of cancer stem cells (CSCs), which contribute to therapy resistance and metastasis. Advances in three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting have ushered in a new era of precision medicine by enabling the recreation of complex tumor microenvironments. This review highlights the transformative potential of 3D bioprinting technology in modelling prostate cancer stem cells (PCSCs) to identify therapeutic vulnerabilities and develop targeted treatments. By integrating bioinks with PCSCs and their niche components, 3D bioprinting offers a robust platform to investigate the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying PCa progression and resistance. Furthermore, it allows high-throughput drug screening, cellular cross talks, facilitating the discovery of novel interventions aimed at eradicating CSCs while preserving healthy tissue. The review also discusses the challenges of scalability, bioink optimization, and clinical translation, alongside emerging technologies such as organ-on-chip systems and bioprinted metastatic models. This review underscores the promise of bioprinting as a disruptive innovation in cancer care, capable of redefining therapeutic approaches and offering hope for better patient outcomes in PCa.