Biomaterials as therapeutic agents for treatment of cancer: A review

Abstract

Abstract Biomaterials can be stated as an amalgamation of science in research and development where the field of cellular biology, molecular biology, chemical sciences, materials sciences and engineering plays important role. These are substances which have been modified to interact with biological systems for therapeutic purposes and even diagnosis. They induce a synergistic effect in the environment where implanted. Although as a science, it is years old but at present it is growing as a modern-day research platform that finds its application in many fields of medical science and cancer being the most extensively researched field in the same. Such studies undertaken in the field of biomaterials has been reviewed in the paper that includes the use of biomaterials as therapeutic agents including their use as vaccines and surface modulators to enhance the antigen specific T-cell activity in the immunotherapy for cancers. The application has been found reliable in case of recurrent cancers, poorly immunogenic tumours as well as immunologically resistant tumours. Triple negative breast cancer and skin cancers have been successfully treated with the help of biomaterials. The review highlights the importance and scope of study towards field of biomaterials in cancer treatment.