Promising future: a review of clinical applications of biopolymers in renal cell carcinoma

Abstract

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC), being the most common type of renal malignancy, accounting for 85% of its incidence, poses a significant threat to human health. Although progress has been made in RCC diagnosis and management, problems of delayed detection and treatment failure remain in traditional methods. In the development of material research, biopolymers have emerged as significant players in medical practices, demonstrating considerable potential in the management of kidney cancer. Specifically, bioactive polymers have been proven to have numerous advantages over traditional methods, finding prosperous applications in diverse areas such as imaging detection, chemotherapy carrier, and prognostic estimation. However, the clinical value of some biopolymers still needs to be fully recognized in the RCC clinical pathway. This review summarizes recent studies about bioactive polymers’ application in RCC and further discusses its significance and constraints in clinical translational medicine and clinical trials. As our understanding of biopolymers grows, more advancements can be carried out in clinical practices.