The Intersection of Biomaterials, Tissue Engineering, and Immuno-oncology

Abstract

The tumor microenvironment encompasses complex interactions between diverse cell types including those of the immune system. Tumor–immune interactions occur in all phases of cancer, where the immune system can either eliminate or reach an equilibrium with cancer. These processes eventually lead to overt malignant growth because of active tumor-based immune suppression. The design of efficient immunotherapies depends on deepening our understanding of these complex immune mechanisms. Not only do advanced biomaterials and tissue engineering strategies re-engineer tumor immune microenvironments, they also provide valuable test-beds to refine the development of novel therapeutics. This chapter highlights nuances and challenges posed when engineering the tumor immune microenvironment, and the goals of various types of immunotherapy. In this context, the chapter examines advances in 3D biomaterials and tissue engineering strategies used to expand our understanding of tumor–immune interactions, and how engineered platforms are being applied toward immunotherapy development.