Innovative organ-on-a-chip platforms for exploring tumorigenesis and therapy in head and neck cancer.

Journal: Journal of translational medicine
Published Date: Jul 16, 2025

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Head and neck cancer (HNC) presents significant research challenges due to the complexity of its tumor microenvironment (TME) and the heterogeneity across different cancer subtypes. Recent advancements in three-dimensional (3D) culture models and organ-on-a-chip (OOC) technology offer new avenues for mimicking the TME and enhancing the study of tumor biology, drug responses, and personalized treatment strategies. This study aims to summarize the current state of these models in HNC research and their potential in bridging the gap between preclinical models and clinical applications.

Authors

  • Chen Lin
    Faculty of Business and Economics, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China.
  • Zilin Zhang
    College of Agricultural Engineering, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong, 030801, China.
  • Feili Yang
    Beijing Transcend Vivoscope Biotech Co., Ltd, Beijing, China.
  • Shanshan Gu
    Department of Radiation Oncology, People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing 100853, P.R.China.
  • Jiyang Zuo
    Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Affiliated Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315040, Zhejiang, China.
  • Yi Wu
    School of International Communication and Arts, Hainan University, Haikou, China.
  • Jing Zhang
    MOEMIL Laboratory, School of Optoelectronic Information, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China.
  • Tiantian Zhou
    College of Marine Life Sciences, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, China.
  • Yuna Zhang
    Department of Operating Room, The Affiliated Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo University, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China.
  • Zaozao Chen
    State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210096, China; Institute of Biomaterials and Medical Devices, Southeast University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215163, China.
  • Zhongze Gu
    State Key Laboratory of Bioelectronics, School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210096, China; Institute of Biomaterials and Medical Devices, Southeast University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215163, China. Electronic address: gu@seu.edu.cn.
  • Zhisen Shen
    Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The Affiliated Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315040, Zhejiang, China. szs7216@163.com.

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