3D Printing in Development of Nanomedicines

Abstract

Three-dimensional (3D) printing is gaining numerous advances in manufacturing approaches both at macro- and nanoscales. Three-dimensional printing is being explored for various biomedical applications and fabrication of nanomedicines using additive manufacturing techniques, and shows promising potential in fulfilling the need for patient-centric personalized treatment. Initial reports attributed this to availability of novel natural biomaterials and precisely engineered polymeric materials, which could be fabricated into exclusive 3D printed nanomaterials for various biomedical applications as nanomedicines. Nanomedicine is defined as the application of nanotechnology in designing nanomaterials for different medicinal applications, including diagnosis, treatment, monitoring, prevention, and control of diseases. Nanomedicine is also showing great impact in the design and development of precision medicine. In contrast to the “one-size-fits-all” criterion of the conventional medicine system, personalized or precision medicines consider the differences in various traits, including pharmacokinetics and genetics of different patients, which have shown improved results over conventional treatment. In the last few years, much literature has been published on the application of 3D printing for the fabrication of nanomedicine. This article deals with progress made in the development and design of tailor-made nanomedicine using 3D printing technology.

Current hurdles to the translation of nanomedicines from bench to the clinic

“…At an intermediate stage, newly developed biomimetic devices may accurately model nanomedicines' behavior in vivo. Advances include bioprinting [176,177] and organ/tumor-on-a-chip models may support the accurate recapitulation of the interplay of nanomedicines with physiological barriers [178][179][180], while threedimensional spheroid/organoid cultures in microfluidic devices may reveal how interstitial flow affects cell binding and how particle size influences nanoparticle diffusion and accumulation [181][182][183]. In cancer research, the development of organotypic multicellular tumor spheroids aims to preserve and faithfully reproduce tumor structure by involving stromal and immune cell components.…”

Nanotechnology as a Shield against COVID-19: Current Advancement and Limitations

“…The use of metallic nanoparticles, dendrimers, polymer and lipid nanoparticles, quantum dots, and carbon nanotubes have been researched for their applications in nanomedicine. Designing and developing nanomedicines by using 3D print technology will help to satisfy the personal necessity of patients and will also offer biocompatibility ( Figure 3 ) [ 45 ]. Thus, 3D printing is a rapid tool for manufacturing PPE to cater to the global demand, which is an alternative to the slow conventional manufacturing processes.…”

Emerging concerns of infectious diseases and drug delivery challenges

“…Additionally, shorter duration of treatment also improves the patient compliance. Development of new drug delivery systems along with development of the new antiinfective molecules are the top strategies in potentially preventing infectious diseases [5] , [47] , [48] , [49] , [50] .…”