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Advancing Breast Cancer Reconstruction with 3D Bioprinting

Image credits: otago.ac.nz

Associate Professor Jaydee Cabral, a researcher from the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at Otago University, is creating a project focused on developing 3D-printed nipple areolar complexes specifically designed for breast cancer patients. The objective of this innovative research is to support individuals who have had a mastectomy (breast-conserving surgery), helping them regain a sense of self-confidence.

Despite significant advancements in mastectomy procedures, there is still a prevailing gap in clinical solutions to effectively replace the nipple area that can be lost during surgery. This absence of suitable options has been a persistent challenge for breast cancer patients seeking aesthetic restoration and psychological well-being after mastectomy. The absence of a clinically available replacement for the nipple area has left many patients with limited choices and compromised body image and self-confidence outcomes.

By utilising the advanced 3D printing technology, Professor Cabral and her team were able to create customisable and highly accurate nipple areolar complexes that closely mimic the natural appearance and texture of the breast of the patient.

“My research resides at the interface of chemistry, microbiology, and bioengineering to develop novel medical devices for various biomedical applications and I would love to bring students into this global phenomenon,” Professor Cabral said.

This 3D bio print technique technology utilises a specialised bioprinter capable of creating a gel-based environment that is conducive to cell growth and serves as a scaffold system. The gel provides a cell-friendly structure where the cells can organise themselves into more intricate living structures.

The technique involves using water-loving polymers with a soft texture suitable for the extrusion of 3D printing. These polymers provide a cell-friendly environment, allowing cells to grow into complex living structures. The process involves carefully extruding the polymers using a bioprinter, layer by layer, to create the desired three-dimensional object.

Once the printing is finished, UV light solidifies the structure into a more rigid form. UV light enhances the molecular bonds within the material, strengthening it and enabling seamless integration with surrounding tissues.

Dr Cabral’s research expertise lies in developing 3D bio-printed vasculature, specifically focusing on the intricate network of blood vessels. The creation of thicker tissue poses unique challenges compared to thinner tissue due to the increased risk of inadequate oxygen levels and limited nutrient supply, which can result in tissue necrosis.

A recipient of the Royal Society of New Zealand’s Catalyst Seed Fund, she said that this research is important because there is currently nothing clinically available to replace the nipple area that can be lost during a mastectomy.

Consequently, there is a growing need for innovative research and development efforts to bridge this gap and provide breast cancer patients with reconstructive alternatives that can restore the natural appearance of the nipple area.

The 3D bioprinting approach holds great potential in revolutionising innovations, particularly in the field of regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. It represents a significant advancement in reconstructive surgery for breast cancer patients.

Dr Cabral is optimistic that her innovation in addressing the challenge of vascularisation for thicker tissue, such as creating 3D bio-printed vasculature, will create opportunities which could lead to other remarkable advancements in tissue engineering in the future.

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Qlik’s vision is a data-literate world, where everyone can use data and analytics to improve decision-making and solve their most challenging problems. A private company, Qlik offers real-time data integration and analytics solutions, powered by Qlik Cloud, to close the gaps between data, insights and action. By transforming data into Active Intelligence, businesses can drive better decisions, improve revenue and profitability, and optimize customer relationships. Qlik serves more than 38,000 active customers in over 100 countries.

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CTC Global Singapore, a premier end-to-end IT solutions provider, is a fully owned subsidiary of ITOCHU Techno-Solutions Corporation (CTC) and ITOCHU Corporation.

Since 1972, CTC has established itself as one of the country’s top IT solutions providers. With 50 years of experience, headed by an experienced management team and staffed by over 200 qualified IT professionals, we support organizations with integrated IT solutions expertise in Autonomous IT, Cyber Security, Digital Transformation, Enterprise Cloud Infrastructure, Workplace Modernization and Professional Services.

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Planview has one mission: to build the future of connected work. Our solutions enable organizations to connect the business from ideas to impact, empowering companies to accelerate the achievement of what matters most. Planview’s full spectrum of Portfolio Management and Work Management solutions creates an organizational focus on the strategic outcomes that matter and empowers teams to deliver their best work, no matter how they work. The comprehensive Planview platform and enterprise success model enables customers to deliver innovative, competitive products, services, and customer experiences. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, with locations around the world, Planview has more than 1,300 employees supporting 4,500 customers and 2.6 million users worldwide. For more information, visit www.planview.com.

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SIRIM is a premier industrial research and technology organisation in Malaysia, wholly-owned by the Minister​ of Finance Incorporated. With over forty years of experience and expertise, SIRIM is mandated as the machinery for research and technology development, and the national champion of quality. SIRIM has always played a major role in the development of the country’s private sector. By tapping into our expertise and knowledge base, we focus on developing new technologies and improvements in the manufacturing, technology and services sectors. We nurture Small Medium Enterprises (SME) growth with solutions for technology penetration and upgrading, making it an ideal technology partner for SMEs.

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HashiCorp provides infrastructure automation software for multi-cloud environments, enabling enterprises to unlock a common cloud operating model to provision, secure, connect, and run any application on any infrastructure. HashiCorp tools allow organizations to deliver applications faster by helping enterprises transition from manual processes and ITIL practices to self-service automation and DevOps practices. 

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IBM is a leading global hybrid cloud and AI, and business services provider. We help clients in more than 175 countries capitalize on insights from their data, streamline business processes, reduce costs and gain the competitive edge in their industries. Nearly 3,000 government and corporate entities in critical infrastructure areas such as financial services, telecommunications and healthcare rely on IBM’s hybrid cloud platform and Red Hat OpenShift to affect their digital transformations quickly, efficiently and securely. IBM’s breakthrough innovations in AI, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions and business services deliver open and flexible options to our clients. All of this is backed by IBM’s legendary commitment to trust, transparency, responsibility, inclusivity and service.

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