Bioengineering Approaches to Improve Gynecological Cancer Outcomes

Abstract

Gynecological cancers are diagnosed in over a million females worldwide, with ovarian, endometrial (uterine), and cervical the most common. Here, we highlight recent progress by bioengineers to improve screening and diagnosis for these diseases, including potential point-of-care approaches. We provide particular attention to the use of tissue engineering, biomaterials, microfluidics, and organoids to identify mechanisms regulating disease progression and predict therapeutic responses. We also highlight opportunities for engineers to address the racial/ethnic/geographic disparities that continue to impact gynecological cancer outcomes. A challenge to improve outcomes for all gynecological cancers will be to expand the diversity of patients included in basic/clinical research to better capture the confounding effects of social/economic variables on disease progression.

Figure 1.

Schematic of origin sites for gynecological cancer. Prevalence is provided for patients worldwide and in the United States as (world, US), rounded to the nearest thousand. Note the disparity in cervical cancer prevalence between the two estimates. Created with BioRender.com.