Pioneering a New Era in Oral Cancer Treatment with Electrospun Nanofibers: A Comprehensive Insight
Devika Tripathi, Tanya Gupta, Awani Kumar, Prashant Kumar Pandey
Abstract
Oral cancer, currently ranked 16th among the most prevalent malignancies worldwide according to GLOBOCAN, presents significant challenges to global oral health. Conventional treatment modalities such as surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy often have limitations, prompting the need for innovative therapeutic approaches. Tissue engineering has emerged as a promising solution aimed at developing biocompatible, functional, and biologically responsive tissue constructs. This approach involves the integration of cells, bioactive compounds, and scaffolds to enhance treatment efficacy. Electrospun nanofibers, mimicking the extracellular matrix, exhibit considerable potential in addressing complex oral health issues by influencing cellular behavior. The versatility of electrospinning technology allows for the fabrication of fiber scaffolds with high surface area, making them ideal for localized delivery of bioactive compounds or pharmaceuticals. Enhancing these electrospun scaffolds with growth factors, nanoparticles, and biologically active substances significantly increases their therapeutic appeal in oral cancer management. This review offers a comprehensive examination of the various applications of electrospun nanofibers in oral cancer therapy. Utilizing electronic databases such as PubMed, CrossREF, and Google Scholar, we conducted an extensive review of relevant literature concerning "electrospun nanofibers" and their therapeutic potential in oral cancer treatment. Key topics addressed include engineering methodologies, drug diffusion mechanisms, factors influencing nanofiber scaffold design, toxicity concerns, and clinical implications. The findings underscore the transformative potential of electrospun nanofibers in revolutionizing oral cancer therapy.