Bioprinting for cancer research

•Bioprinting techniques can be used to create 3D tumor models for cancer research.•Bioprinting methods include inkjet, microextrusion, and laser technologies.•3D cancer models mimic the tumor microenvironment better than 2D models.•This will lead to a better understanding of cancer and aid in cancer drug screening.

Bioprinting offers the ability to create highly complex 3D architectures with living cells. This cutting-edge technique has significantly gained popularity and applicability in several fields. Bioprinting methods have been developed to effectively and rapidly pattern living cells, biological macromolecules, and biomaterials. These technologies hold great potential for applications in cancer research. Bioprinted cancer models represent a significant improvement over previous 2D models by mimicking 3D complexity and facilitating physiologically relevant cell–cell and cell–matrix interactions. Here we review bioprinting methods based on inkjet, microextrusion, and laser technologies and compare 3D cancer models with 2D cancer models. We discuss bioprinted models that mimic the tumor microenvironment, providing a platform for deeper understanding of cancer pathology, anticancer drug screening, and cancer treatment development.